EAT THINK DRINK:
Building the Future Ag Workforce
Tuesday, September 16, 2025
Prince Waikiki | 6:00–9:00 PM
The future of farming starts here. As Hawai‘i’s agricultural workforce ages, we face a critical question: Are we growing enough farmers for tomorrow?
Join the Hawai‘i Agricultural Foundation for EAT THINK DRINK: Building the Future Ag Workforce — a dynamic evening of powerful conversation, networking, and a chef-curated dinner focused on building a resilient, local ag workforce.
Scott Stump, CEO of the National FFA is our keynote speaker. Scott has vast experience shaping national ag education and workforce policy. He will share how nearly 1 million FFA members are preparing to lead the future of food and farming.
Click here to learn more about the event and all our speakers.
HAF publishes Farm to School Plan
As part of our mission to support local farmers and grow a sustainable food future, Hawai‘i Agricultural Foundation collaborated with the City and County of Honolulu – Office of Climate Change, Sustainability and Resiliency, the Office of the First Lady, and the Hawai‘i State Department of Education (HIDOE) on a Farm to School Action Plan for Central Oʻahu. The plan was funded by the USDA Patrick Leahy Farm to School Program and awarded to HAF through a low-bid RFP from the City and County of Honolulu in October.
Working within a tight timeline, HAF focused the plan on the HIDOE Regional Kitchen serving the Leilehua, Mililani, and Waialua (LMW) Complex Area. When HAF began its contract with the City and County of Honolulu, HIDOE had already awarded a $28 million contract in September 2024 to Hensel Phelps Construction Co. to build the facility. The planned 18,000-square-foot, single-story kitchen will be located in Whitmore Village on 3–4 acres of a 34-acre parcel managed by the Agribusiness Development Corporation.
The LMW Regional Kitchen—the first of several planned statewide—will serve 20 schools in the area and can produce up to 20,000 meals daily. Its bulk purchasing capacity enables HIDOE to buy more local food and helps farmers plan for growth.*
While the plan centers on the LMW Complex Area, its key initiatives—such as child nutrition, menu development, scaling local agriculture, education, food safety, marketing, student engagement, sustainability, and evaluation—are designed to be scalable and applicable to other complex areas statewide.
For more information on the Farm to School Action Plan for Central Oʻahu visit resilientoahu.org/farmtoschoolactionplan. To view the entire plan, click here.
*Since the plan was published, the LMW Regional Kitchen project has expanded to be built in three phases. Once complete, it will serve up to 60,000 students per day.
Meet the 2025 Localicious® Recipe Contest Winners!
Congratulations to Halia Kaaua from Kalani High School, winner of the 2025 Localicious® Recipe Contest Live Cook-Off at the Hawai‘i State Farm Fair!
Finalists wowed the judges with creative, locally inspired school lunch dishes.
1st Runner-Up: Mark Angelo Ragonton, Moloka‘i High
2nd Runner-Up: Skye Alvarado, Kaiser High
Mahalo to Hawai‘i Gas, our judges, and the Hawai‘i Farm Bureau for making this event possible!
Pictured from left: 1st Runner-up Mark Ragonton, 2025 winner Halia Kaaua, and 3rd Runner-up Skye Alvarado.
Meet our Localicious Heroes
The Hawai‘i Agricultural Foundation has partnered up with Searider Productions at Wai‘anae High School—a collective of teachers, students and programs dedicated to helping the students of the Wai‘anae complex succeed in all their endeavors—to film and profile O‘ahu farmers and value-added producers to highlight the amazing work happening in Hawai‘i’s agricultural industry.
Empowering Future Ag Leaders
Shop Our Mika the Sous Chef Collection
Make mealtime more meaningful with our limited-edition Mika the Sous Chef Collection! Perfect for keiki and families, easy-to-follow recipes from Hawai‘i’s top chefs will inspire healthy eating and a love for local ingredients.
Shop today and combine cooking enjoyment with community impact! Every purchase supports our educational programs for schools statewide. Limited supply – don’t wait!