New Farm to Families initiative aims to feed local families, strengthen food security statewide – Big Island Now

Hawaiʻi’s “Farm to Families” Initiative: A Strategic Approach to Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction: A Multi-Faceted Strategy for Sustainable Development

The State of Hawaiʻi has initiated the “Farm to Families” program, a legislative measure designed to combat food insecurity by connecting local agricultural producers with food banks. The release of initial funding marks a significant step in implementing this program, which directly aligns with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). By creating a direct pipeline from local farms to families in need, the initiative addresses critical issues of hunger, economic stability, and sustainable community development.

Addressing SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 1 (No Poverty)

The primary objective of the Farm to Families program is to mitigate food insecurity, a direct target of SDG 2: Zero Hunger. This is particularly critical in light of recent findings and economic pressures affecting Hawaiʻi’s most vulnerable populations. Reductions in federal aid, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), have exacerbated conditions of poverty (SDG 1) and food scarcity.

A recent report from the Hawaiʻi Foodbank highlighted the severity of the issue in 2023:

• Nearly one in three households in Hawaiʻi experienced food insecurity.
• 19% of households were categorized as having very low food security, with an additional 11% having low food security.
• 10% of households reported going an entire day without food in some or most months.
• Almost 30% of children in the state are living in food-insecure homes.

The program directly intervenes by enabling food banks, which collectively provide over 2.4 million meals monthly, to distribute fresh, nutritious, locally-grown produce, thereby improving food access and quality for those in need.

Promoting SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production)

The initiative is structured to bolster the local economy, a key component of SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth. By mandating the purchase of locally sourced food, the program ensures that state funds are reinvested into Hawaiʻi’s agricultural sector. This model supports local farmers, ranchers, and food producers, fostering economic resilience and keeping capital within the community.

This approach also promotes SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production. It encourages sustainable consumption patterns by shortening the supply chain and reducing the state’s reliance on imported goods. As the cost of imports rises, strengthening the local food system presents a viable and sustainable economic solution.

Enhancing SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities)

By strengthening the connection between local agriculture and community food systems, the Farm to Families program contributes to SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities. A robust local food system enhances community resilience by decreasing dependence on external supply chains, which are vulnerable to disruption. This initiative helps build a more self-sufficient and sustainable food infrastructure for Hawaiʻi, ensuring that communities have more reliable access to fresh and nutritious food.

Program Framework and Financial Allocation

The Farm to Families initiative was formally established through legislative action and has received dedicated funding to ensure its operation.

1. Legislative Origin: The program was created by House Bill 428 as part of the 2025 House Majority bill package.
2. Funding Allocation: A total of $1 million has been allocated for the biennium.
   • $500,000 for the 2026 fiscal year.
   • $500,000 for the 2027 fiscal year.
3. Implementation: The funds will be used by food banks across every island to purchase, store, and distribute fresh produce grown in Hawaiʻi.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger

  This is the most prominent SDG addressed. The article’s central theme is the “Farm to Families” initiative, which directly combats food insecurity in Hawaiʻi by providing fresh, locally-grown produce to residents in need through food banks. It highlights statistics like “nearly 1 in 3 Hawaiʻi households were already food insecure in 2023” and that the program aims to support “food-insecure communities.”

• SDG 1: No Poverty

  The article connects food insecurity to economic vulnerability. By providing food assistance, the program alleviates a significant financial burden on low-income families, which is a key aspect of poverty reduction. The mention of “75,000 households at potential risk of missed paychecks or layoffs” underscores the link between economic instability, poverty, and the need for food assistance programs.

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

  The initiative strengthens local food systems and builds community resilience. The article states the program is “modeled on local food purchase programs that had success strengthening connection between Hawaiʻi farmers and food-insecure communities.” This fosters positive economic and social links between rural agricultural producers and the communities they serve, a key component of sustainable community development.

• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

  The program promotes sustainable production and consumption patterns by emphasizing local sourcing. The article notes, “Farm to Families emphasizes purchasing locally sourced food, ensuring state dollars circulate directly into Hawaiʻi’s agricultural economy.” This reduces dependence on imported goods, which have a higher environmental footprint due to transportation, and supports a more sustainable, local food supply chain.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 2.1: End hunger and ensure access to safe, nutritious food

   The program’s core mission is to “enable food banks to purchase, store and distribute fresh, Hawaiʻi-grown produce for residents in need.” This directly aligns with ensuring year-round access to nutritious food for all people, particularly those in vulnerable situations. The article’s focus on “food-insecure communities” and providing “fresh, nutritious, Hawaiʻi-grown produce” directly addresses this target.

2. Target 2.3: Double the productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers

   By creating a dedicated market for local produce, the “Farm to Families” initiative directly supports the economic viability of local farmers. The article states the program will “support local farmers, ranchers and food producers” and “keep food dollars circulating in our communities.” This contributes to increasing the income and market access for small-scale agricultural producers in Hawaiʻi.

3. Target 11.a: Strengthen links between urban, peri-urban and rural areas

   The initiative is explicitly designed to create a bridge between agricultural producers and communities. The article highlights that the goal is to “strengthen connection between Hawaiʻi farmers and food-insecure communities.” This program serves as a mechanism for strengthening the economic and social links between rural farming areas and the communities (urban or otherwise) that need access to fresh food.

4. Target 12.2: Achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources

   The emphasis on local sourcing is a strategy for more sustainable resource management. The article points out that “as the cost of importing food continues to rise, strengthening Hawaiʻi’s local agriculture sector is a sustainable and necessary solution.” By reducing reliance on long-distance food transportation, the program promotes a more efficient and less resource-intensive food system.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicators for Target 2.1 (End Hunger)

  The article provides several explicit baseline indicators from the Hawaiʻi Foodbank report that can be used to measure progress in reducing food insecurity:

  • Prevalence of food insecurity: “nearly 1 in 3 Hawaiʻi households were already food insecure in 2023.”
  • Severity of food insecurity: “11% of the state’s households were categorized as low food security,” and “19% of households were categorized as very low food security.”
  • Prevalence of hunger: “10% of the state’s households were going a whole day without food some or most months.”
  • Child food insecurity: “almost 30% of Hawaiʻi’s children are growing up in food-insecure homes.”

• Indicators for Target 2.3 (Support Small-Scale Producers)

  The article implies an economic indicator for measuring support to local farmers:

  • Financial investment in local agriculture: The program’s funding of “$500,000 for fiscal year 2026” and another “$500,000 for fiscal year 2027” serves as a direct indicator of the financial resources being channeled to local food producers through this initiative.

• Indicators for Target 11.a (Strengthen Community Links)

  While not providing a specific number, the article implies a key performance indicator:

  • Volume of local food distribution: The success of the program in connecting farms to communities could be measured by the amount of locally-grown produce purchased and distributed by food banks, building on the existing statistic that “Hawai‘i’s food banks each month collectively connect families with food for more than 2.4 million meals.”

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: bigislandnow.com