Fresh from the Fields: Maui County Mobile Markets and CSA Programs
Maui County is well-known for its beautiful beaches, stunning landscapes, and vibrant culture. However, beneath the surface, the community is also home to a thriving local food scene, with an abundance of fresh produce, meats, and other products grown and produced right on the island. In recent years, there has been a growing trend among consumers to buy locally, and this movement has only been accelerated by the Covid-19 pandemic. As a result, Maui County has seen a rise in the popularity of mobile farmers markets and Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs, providing shoppers with new and convenient ways to access locally grown and produced foods.
In this installment of our Fresh from the Fields: Guide to Eating Locally in Maui County, we will explore the benefits of these emerging food options, as well as the impact they are having on the local economy and the environment. Whether you're a long-time resident or a visitor to the island, learning about these innovative programs can help you make a more conscious choice when it comes to your food purchases, while also supporting the local community.
If you missed it you can find our Ultimate Guide to Maui County's Farmers’ Markets here.
Mobile markets are sometimes referred to as food hubs or online farmers’ markets. They serve as digitally accessible, aggregated markets of the goods of multiple vendors, available for delivery or pickup. While some are operated by 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations, all are bringing fresh, healthy food options to communities with limited options. These markets offer the convenience of shopping from home and the flexibility to customize your orders.
CSA stands for Community Supported Agriculture. Traditional CSA programs are paid seasonally, in advance, and provide members with a box or a “share” of goods including fresh, local produce and other farm products. Paying upfront allows farmers to buy what they need for the upcoming season, and pay their farm labor without waiting until harvest to generate revenue.
Maui County Mobile Markets and CSA programs:
Ho'olawa Forest Farm is a new organic CSA program (2023) located in Haʻikū, on the North Shore of Maui. The Ho'olawa Forest Farm CSA program provides members with a weekly share of organic, seasonal produce, including a variety of fruits, vegetables, herbs, and flowers. The selection changes throughout the year, depending on what is in season and reflects the diversity of crops grown on the farm. Consumers can pay $300 for a 3-month subscription, or $100 a month. Pickups are on Fridays from 12:30-2 pm and begin the week following your purchase.
Monthly fruit and vegetable subscriptions. $100, 4-week subscription for pick up at the Haʻikū Community Center.
Local, organic. Located in Haʻikū.
Text (808) 250-5310 to sign up
Island Fresh is a vegetable delivery service on Maui that offers a convenient and hassle-free way to access fresh, locally-grown produce. The service sources its produce from large and small farms across the island and thus offers a wide selection of in-season fruits, vegetables, and value-added products. Island Fresh is committed to promoting sustainability and food security on the island
and strives to support local farmers while providing consumers with access to high-quality, nutritious produce. Delivery is only $5, can be scheduled weekly or bi-weekly, and paused if needed. By signing up for Island Fresh, consumers can enjoy the convenience of online ordering and delivery, while also supporting the local agricultural sector and investing in the local community.
Customizable, locally grown produce boxes for delivery or pickup.
Orders placed by Saturday, 11 pm.
islandfreshdelivery@gmail.com or 808-664-1129
Kīhāpai (“small farm”) Horticultural offers members a weekly supply of seasonal, organic vegetables, herbs, and fruits grown above ʻIao Valley. The selection varies weekly with a diverse array of produce, including leafy greens, root vegetables, tropical fruits, and more and members can add on their wildflower honey, provided by the on-farm bee hives. With the onset of the pandemic, this Native Hawaiian-owned farm pivoted to grow more food for the community. They converted land to no-till vegetable production in the spring of 2020 and continue to increase production and diversity of produce as part of Maui's post-pandemic kama’āina economy. The only CSA program we know of that is growing in Central Maui, a benefit to their program is the flexibility to try a one-time bag before making a monthly commitment.
Offering one-time $26 veggie bags, or $100, 4-week subscriptions for Tuesday delivery or Friday farm pick-up. A subscription reserves your vegetable bags in advance.
Native Hawaiian owned. Regenerative practices. Located in Wailuku
kihapaihort@gmail.com
Lapa'au Farms is a regenerative, bio-intensive farming operation located in Olinda, specializing in “beyond organic” methods. The farm offers a very exclusive Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program, providing members with a weekly share of fresh, in-season produce with a primary focus on oyster mushrooms, salad greens, brassicas, and other root crops.
Often sold out, interested members should join their mailing list to learn when openings become available. A traditional CSA program, subscriptions are seasonal and paid upfront, offering a great way to eat healthy fresh locally grown food, while investing in a small local farm.
6-month CSA, of 13 bi-weekly pickups or delivery, including produce and oyster mushrooms. Starting at $767.11. Sign up to get on the waiting list.
Local, organic, regenerative. Located in Makawao.
lapaaufarm@gmail.com
Maui Hub is an online marketplace and 501(c)3 non-profit, born during the pandemic, connecting shoppers with local farmers and food producers on Maui. Weekend shoppers can browse a wide selection of locally grown produce and locally made food products from the comfort of their own homes for pick up or delivery ($10 where available) the following week. Additionally, SNAP/EBT shoppers benefit from the DA BUX program on Maui Hub, affording them an automatic 50% discount on locally grown fruits and vegetables and free delivery (where available). Shopping on Maui Hub provides a convenient and community-driven way for shoppers to access local food products on Maui.
Online farmers’ market of locally grown produce and products for pick up and delivery
Order Saturday at 12 pm through Monday at 12 am
info@mauihub.org • 808-757-1129
*Accepting EBT/SNAP **DA BUX Retailer
If you've been paying attention, you might be starting to wonder where you can't find ‘Oko’a Farms. In addition to the four weekly Farmers’ Markets they attend, they also offer fully customizable mobile ordering for pick up and delivery (for a $10 additional charge where available). This small family business has been accepting SNAP/EBT since long before the pandemic and continues to look for ways to make it convenient to buy fresh locally grown produce, especially in underserved regions. A DA BUX retailer, SNAP consumers also receive 50% off their orders. Shopping online with ‘Oko’a Farms offers several benefits for consumers in our post-pandemic economy by providing a convenient and hassle-free way to access fresh, locally-grown produce without leaving the comfort of home. By ordering online, consumers can browse a wide selection of in-season fruits and vegetables grown by ‘Oko’a Farms and other local growers, promoting a more sustainable food system.
Customizable online ordering for local produce for pickup and delivery
808-276-3892 • ryan@okoafarms.com
*Accepting SNAP/EBT **DA BUX Retailer
Pono Grown Farm, located in Makawao offers a traditional (pre-paid) 6-week CSA program, for pick up at their Olinda Road farm. Pono Grown uses regenerative farming practices, which help to promote soil health, conserve water resources, and reduce the carbon footprint of food production. By purchasing from Pono Grown Farm, consumers can help invest in these efforts and contribute to a more sustainable food system. They offer veggie bags in two sizes, with a selection of fresh, in-season produce grown using organic methods. One unique benefit to choosing Pono Grown’s CSA program is their flexibility around pausing your veggie pickup if you go out of town. This ensures that you get the most out of your investment.
$25 and $35 produce boxes for Monday pickup.
6 weeks prepaid, can pause with 24-hour advance notice.
Local, organic, regenerative. 677 Olinda Rd, Makawao
808-269-9356 • evan@ponogrown.org
Sustʻāinable Molokai's mobile market is THE Farmers’ Market on Molokai, delivering Molokai-grown, farm-fresh food straight to your neighborhood. A 501(c)3 non-profit, the Sustʻāinable Molokai Mobile Market has been connecting local producers with consumers since 2015. They are on a mission to permanently align the local food supply with the community's needs, increase the total food production on Molokai, and ensure that everyone has access to affordable, local, healthy food. A SNAP/EBT and DA BUX retailer, consumers receive 50% off locally grown fruits and vegetables. Home delivery is available for $10 or free for orders over $75. The Sustʻāinable Molokai Mobile Market helps to connect small farmers with consumers, providing them with a platform to sell their products and earn a living. This helps to support the local agricultural sector, which is critical for promoting food security and sustainability on Molokai.
Online farmers’ market of local produce and locally made products for pick up and delivery for Moloka’i residents
Order from 3 pm on Sunday to 12 pm Tuesday
808-658-5234 • info@sustainablemolokai.org
*Accepting EBT/SNAP **DA BUX Retailer
Shopping at Maui County's mobile markets and CSA programs offers a variety of economic and environmental benefits. These programs allow consumers to connect with local farmers and producers, and to learn about where their food comes from which builds a sense of community and fosters social connections. Buying produce through these markets supports small local businesses and helps to keep money within the local community. This can help to create jobs and support economic development, particularly in rural areas where agriculture is an important part of our local economy.
From an environmental perspective, shopping with these small local growers often promotes sustainable and regenerative farming practices, which in turn help to conserve soil health, water resources, and biodiversity. By supporting local farmers and purchasing locally grown produce, consumers can reduce the carbon footprint of their food and support a more sustainable food system.
Overall, shopping at Maui County's mobile markets and CSA programs offers a range of benefits that extend beyond simply purchasing fresh and nutritious food. By supporting local farmers and producers, consumers can contribute to a more sustainable and resilient local food system, while also promoting social and economic development in their communities.
Again, Mahalo to Project Locavore and the EAT LOCAL MAUI Community and Ashley Hogue of Ho'omakua Farm for their invaluable contributions to this project!
