Working To Restore ʻĀina Momona
(thriving people and abundant land)
(thriving people and abundant land)
Our Food Sovereignty Program empowers Molokai to grow, share, and sustain its own food system—by us, for us. Through community-based farming education, direct support for local producers, and food access initiatives, we’re working to build a thriving, self-reliant island food system rooted in ʻāina and aloha.
Since 2015, Sustʻāinable Molokai has connected local growers and families through our Mobile Market, farm-to-school initiatives, food pantry partnerships, poultry projects, and hands-on training programs for aspiring farmers. Whether you’re growing vegetables, raising chickens, or starting a food business, we’re here to help you thrive.
Scroll down to explore all the ways we’re supporting Molokai’s food future!
Our Mobile Market has been connecting local producers with consumers since 2015. Our mission is to permanently align the local food supply with our community’s needs, increase the total food production on Molokai, and ensure that everyone has access to affordable, local, healthy food.
Our strategy is to mālama the health and well-being of our entire island community by supporting Molokai’s agricultural and food-producing community and increasing the production and availability of locally-grown fresh produce and Molokai-made food and farm produce.
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We would love to grow with you! Submit your info here so we can learn more about what you want to provide for the market and set up your producer account.
Welcome to the Mobile Market ʻOhana! Begin by creating a Mobile Market customer profile. Be sure to check “Send me market updates by email” so that we can send you email notifications when the market ordering period opens each week. Check out the tabs below for information about pickup times and locations, and also about paying via SNAP/EBT!
1
Order online between 3 pm on Sunday and 5pm on Tuesday
Please enter a credit card into your customer profile to confirm and place an order. We will charge your order to the card on file after you pick it up. Once you have confirmed your order, it cannot be altered or canceled after 5pm Tuesday when the ordering window closes. Please note that you will still be charged if you do not come to pick up your order.
2
Choose your pickup location for Thursday (see pickup times and locations below)
OR delivery to your home or office on Thursday (2pm-5pm).
Delivery is FREE on orders over $75. The minimum order for deliveries is $25, and the fee is $10.
We also deliver FREE every Fridays to kūpuna at Home Pumehana and to EBT/SNAP customers. (No minimum purchase required.)
3
Enjoy fresh Molokai-grown and produced food!
Get 50% OFF all Hawaii-grown produce when you pay for your order using SNAP/EBT!
Learn more!
Orders can be picked up on Thursdays (and Fridays at Holomua Junction) at the following locations and times:
The Molokai Ag Experience Education Program was a 12-week, hands-on learning opportunity for Molokai residents age 16 and older, designed to build skills and work experience in local agriculture and food systems. Offered by Sustʻāinable Molokai, the program supported participants in exploring career pathways in farming, food production, and community-based food sovereignty.
Duration: February 5 – May 6, 2024
Time Commitment: ~10 hours per week
Eligibility: Ages 16+
Completion Incentive: Financial awards were available for participants who completed the program
Participants trained alongside experienced local growers and food producers in areas such as:
-Diversified vegetable farming
-Fruit and orchard tree care
-Dryland kalo (taro) farming guided by the Hawaiian moon calendar
-Greenhouse production and nursery management
-Value-added food production using locally grown ingredients
This program was part of our Hoʻomāhuahua agricultural training initiative—meaning “to increase or multiply.” Through this effort, we aimed to strengthen Molokai’s food system by empowering community members with hands-on experience, practical skills, and deeper knowledge of the island’s agricultural landscape.While the Spring 2024 program has concluded, we hope to offer similar opportunities in the future. Stay connected with us to learn about upcoming announcements.
Poultry Egg Education ProjectThe mission of our Poultry Egg Education Project (PEEP) is to increase local egg production, boost our local economy, and support our participants in their business goals. This program, which Sust’āinable Molokai piloted with our community, has received statewide funding and is being rolled out on neighboring islands.
Zoom Recording of the 2023 PEEP Informational Webinar is now available.
Passcode: u6V1^!dS
The PEEP 2023 Cohort application has closed.
Participants receive $2,500 in start-up equipment and supplies, including 24 chicks, chick & pullet care starter packages (brooder box, feeding/watering supplies, feed), building materials for a stationary OR Mobile chicken coop (both inclusive of chicken runs)
And... a built-in market that supports business growth!
Program Applications Open
January 5th - 15th
Program Interviews
January 26th & 27th
Selections Made
January 30th
Program Begins
February 4th
PEEP Workshop dates
2/4, 2/18, 3/4, 3/18, 4/1, & 4/15
Additional Cohort Meetings
4/29, 5/27, 6/10, 6/24, 7/8, & 8/19
Field Trip dates
2/11, 3/25, & 8/26
Program Graduation
September 2023
Sign up for our mailing list to get updates on the next Cohort! Coming 2025!
Our Mahiʻai Moa Projectʻs mission is to increase food production by our island residents through poultry farming and feed workshops as well as training our local community slaughterhouse in order to increase our community access to fresh, nutritious food and make our community more resilient.
Program Applications Open
April 29 - June 22, 2024
Program Interviews
June 25-27, 2024
Selections Made
End of June 2024
Program Begins
July 2, 2024
Workshop dates
(Via Zoom, 5:30pm - 7:30pm)
Workshop #1: July 2
Workshop #2: July 16
Workshop #3 : July 23
Workshop #4: August 6
Workshop #5 : August 20
Workshop #6: September 3
Workshop #7: September 17
Workshop #8: October 1
Workshop #9: October 15
Field Trip dates
August & September 2024
In-Person Slaughter Training
September & October 2024
Program Graduation
October 2024
Program Applications Open
January 8-21, 2024
Program Interviews
January 22-24, 2024
Selections Made
January 31, 2024
Program Begins
February 1, 2024
Workshop dates
(5:30pm - 7:30pm)
February 1, 2024
February 8, 2024
February 15, 2024
February 29, 2024
March 7, 2024
March 21, 2024
May 9, 2024
June 8, 2024
July 13, 2024
Field Trip dates
February 25, 2024
April 27, 2024
In-Person Slaughter Training
June 1, 2024(Tentative)
June 22, 2024 (Tentative)
July 6, 2024 (Tentative)
Program Graduation
July 2024
Want to be one of the next 15 Native or Beginning Farmers and Ranchers on Molokai to participate in the 2025 Mahiʻai Moa Cohort 3 Session? Sign up for our mailing list and get updates when our Cohort 3 applications open!
A Beginning Farmer: Defined as someone who has not operated a farm or ranch for more than 10 years (USDA Definition)
A Native Farmer: Native Hawaiian, American Indian/Native American, or Native Alaskan). If you are indigenous to another country other than the United States, you may still be eligible (Priority given due to funding restrictions)
And... a built-in market that supports business growth!
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Sustʻāinable Molokai provides local food to ʻohana through the island's food pantries. We source produce, fish, beef, shrimp, eggs, and more from local producers and supply it to the monthly Molokai Food Bank Distributions to supplement the boxes provided to our island's food pantries by Maui Food Bank with fresh local food.
Check out the opportunities and resources below for the Molokai agriculture community.
Learn about the financial opportunities that are available for Molokai farm operations and businesses through the Farm Service Agency (FSA). Workshops led by Darrin Vander Plas.
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Food producers and agriculturalists are encouraged to apply for the Maui County Department of Agriculture grants. If you have any questions, please email aggrants@co.maui.hi.us.
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Kuhaʻo Business Center will be reinstating the Farmer Reimbursement Program in the near future for Molokai producers to apply to. Applicants will be able to apply for a reimbursement of up to $5,000 from a pre-approved list of farm materials, PPE, or training fees. Please contact Kuhaʻo Business Center at (808) 553-8100 for more information.
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The Small Business Growth Fund is back! The Small Business Growth Fund is a program that gives small business owners the money they need to make their next move. It is done in partnership with the Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN) and with funding from Etsy and Progressive. Recipients will receive $5,000-$25,000 grants to accelerate their growth and achieve their goals in 2024.
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The MEO Core Four Business Planning Course enables the development of a realistic, achievable business plan. The six-week, 36-hour course is offered 10 times yearly on Maui, Molokai, and Lanai. Financial aid is available through grants from the Maui County Office of Economic Development. Classes will be held virtually on Zoom.
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The Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) Native Hawaiian Revolving Loan Fund program introduced a new program to support Native Hawaiian farmers across the pae ʻāina. The Mahi ‘Ai Agricultural Loan Program is another way that OHA is meeting the business needs of Native Hawaiians who are starting a farm or expanding an existing one.
For more information email NHRLF@ohaloanfund.org, or call the OHA office at (808) 594-1835.
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From farm loans to crop insurance, and conservation programs to disaster assistance, USDA is here to support you and your operation. Click here for a complete guide to USDA resources!
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Get your farm registered with Farm Service Agency (FSA) - FSA provides disaster assistance, safety net, farm loans, and conservation programs. This is the go-to agency for many USDA records. James Robello is the County Executive Director of the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA), serving farmers and ranchers on Maui, Molokai, and Lanai. He makes trips to Molokai often and may schedule a meeting with you in-person. For more information, you may contact James directly at james.robello@usda.gov or (808) 214-1740.
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Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) NRCS provides technical assistance for planning and conservation practice implementation. Financial assistance is available for conservation on working agricultural lands and easement programs.
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The Hawaii Agriculture & Food Products Database (HAWAII) is all about connecting the world to the farmers and ranchers who grow food in Hawaii. They connect the world to the manufacturers that add value to Hawaii-grown food to create products that showcase Hawaii agriculture.
Sustʻāinable Molokai has been a Hawaiʻi Farm to School Hui steering committee member since 2011. The Hui envisions a holistic education system that renews our relationship to food, farming, and the environment while improving health and raising academic achievement.
1
School Gardens
students engage in hands-on, experiential learning in a variety of subjects through gardening
2
Education
students participate in education activities related to agriculture, food, health, and nutrition
3
Sourcing
local foods are purchased, promoted, and served in the cafeteria, as a snack, or in classroom taste tests
