Public schools seek local fruits, veggies

Farmers and vendors have until Wednesday to tell the state what locally grown fruits and vegetables they’d like to provide to public schools.

The state is making a special effort to boost supply and demand for food from the islands in its cafeterias.

“We’ve made it a priority to purchase local produce, however, our options have been limited,” said schools Superintendent Kathryn Matayoshi. “We are hopeful that this initiative will allow for more locally based products to be used in our schools’ food services while keeping costs reasonable.”

The Department of Education serves roughly 110,000 meals a day at 256 school cafeterias. It usually buys in bulk statewide to save on costs, but the school system is also interested in direct purchases in smaller amounts to encourage local vendors.

It posted an invitation to bid to supply fresh fruits and vegetables to various school cafeterias statewide last month. The original proposal had the standard two-week window ending today, but the deadline was extended to Wednesday to encourage more applicants.

“Because this is a change in the way we try to purchase, we asked the Department of Education to extend the deadline as much as possible within the law, and they did,” said Jayson Watts, senior adviser to Lt. Gov. Shan Tsutsui.

Tsutsui has made the Farm to School initiative a priority in hopes of supporting the local economy and ensuring that kids have healthy, fresh food. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program is also working to boost the range of produce that kids get to eat at school.

“With Hawaii importing about 85 percent of our food, the Farm to School Initiative is one way we are working towards becoming food-sustainable in our state,” Tsutsui said.

The state has hired a Farm to School coordinator, Robin Pfahl of the Department of Agriculture, to analyze markets, seek proposals and launch pilot projects.

“We encourage local farmers to participate in this program,” said Scott Enright, chairman of the Board of Agriculture. “One of the challenges farmers face is the uncertainty of supply and demand, and this program will help farmers plan and grow their crops with the knowledge that there will be a market for their produce.

“In addition, keiki will be able to grow up with an appreciation of locally grown fruits and vegetables.”

To apply, suppliers must become qualified vendors through the Hawaii Electronic Procurement System. The invitation is available at spo3.hawaii.gov/notices/notices/ifb-d17-005.