EBT dollars at work

[VancouverIslander]

kalakoa: some times it isn't a matter of competitiveness of local growers, but of not being in the supply chain of large retailers. Some retailers (Costco to some extent) do work to include local suppliers while others merely carry what the national distribution centers stock. Sourcing local produce requires some overhead in terms of personnel and storage facilities that aren't always profitable or are excluded because of a rigid corporate model.

While some local produce is sold at farmers markets (papayas in particular) much of it is repackaged goods from those same supermarket supply chains.

I would invite AlohaDave to put his money where his mouth is and get involved in the agriculture industry in Hawai'i. There is certainly land and sun and rain, but there are also obstacles.

Aloha mai e, AlohaDave, and best of luck. Be aware that many here will stop listening when you talk about how things are done on the mainland. Malihini have been trying to make things 'like the mainland' too much for most of us instead of trying to figure out how to fit in to the culture here. But if you can lead by example and then offer to show people how to be more successful, you might find a willing audience. The problems for agriculture are mostly related to high cost of labor by the way.

Me ka ha`aha`a,
Mike