EAT THINK DRINK

EAT THINK DRINK: Farm to Institution

A Night of Insight, Flavor, and Community

We’re thrilled that our recent EAT THINK DRINK event, “Farm to Institution: Scaling Ag to Schools, Hospitals, and More,” was a resounding success! With a great turnout of thought leaders, industry professionals, and community members, the evening was both informative and enjoyable.

Keynote speaker Paula Daniels captivated the audience with her expertise on building sustainable and equitable food systems through institutional purchasing. The engaging panel discussion, moderated by Jayson Watts of Mahi Pono, provided valuable insights from Randolph Moore (Hawaii Department of Education), Christa Collins (Flik808), and Michael Robinson (Hawai‘i Pacific Health) on integrating local agriculture into institutional supply chains.

The culinary highlight of the evening came from our talented guest chefs—Ahu Hettema, Nili Yildirim, Hyun Kim, Mark Noguchi, and Jeremy Shigekane—who delighted attendees with dishes inspired by their cultural backgrounds, showcasing the potential of locally sourced ingredients in school lunch menus.

There was great energy in the room as attendees networked, shared ideas, and enjoyed the delicious food. We look forward to conversations during the event inspiring change in how institutions support local agriculture and foster a more resilient food system in Hawai‘i.

Mahalo to everyone who attended and contributed to making this event a success! We’re already looking forward to the next EAT THINK DRINK event. For those who couldn’t join us, a recording of the program will be available soon—stay tuned!