Food resources for resilient Punawebbers

[Punatang]

Food Basket closed and Kahikina food drive postponed Monday (today 2/9/26) due to weather.

https://bigislandnow.com/2026/02/08/the-...o-weather/

"While the facilities are closed, The Food Basket team is standing by and coordinating with partners should emergency food response be needed."

https://www.hawaiifoodbasket.org/

[Punatang]

Amazon Prime is a life-saver in Puna. Sure we want to keep it local where we can but people gotta eat.  Having things delivered makes it easy and smart. Amazon has 1000s of common grocery items from the brands you love. Some things cost more on Amazon but more often than not, you can find great prices. "Amazon Saver" grocery items are a new thing.  They are trying to compete with the store brands and the prices can be very attractive especially when they can be delivered to you.  They are just rolling out now with a limited number of products but the plan is to add 100s.  Stay tuned.

Amazon offers "Prime Access" with unlimited free shipping, entertainment, and a ton of other benefits for $6.99 per month for eligible folks.  This can really help cut down on some grocery costs.  Please keep it local whenever you can, but priority #1 has to be keeping the bellies full of good things. Plenty of Punawebbers and their neighbors save money on certain grocery items with Subscribe and Save and of course they accept SNAP on eligible items.

You can even try it out for free for 30 days then $6.99 per month if you find it's a good value for you.

https://www.amazon.com/amazonprime?primeCampaignId=accessWlpPrimeRedir&ref_=amacspr

You can qualify for Prime Access in two ways: based on your household income or by being enrolled in a government assistance program. If you qualify through income, our secure third-party partner will verify that your household income is at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guideline based on the information you enter. This verification is quick and easy. Alternatively, if you're enrolled in a government assistance program, you can upload documentation showing your participation. Eligible programs are listed below. This process is secure and your documentation is deleted from Amazon after the verification.

- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program)
- Medicaid
- Direct Express Debit Card (DE)
- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
- National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
- Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
- Women, Infants, and Children Program (WIC)
- Tribal Assistance Eligibility Letter (TTANF)
- Puerto Rico’s Nutrition Assistance Program (NAP)

Once your eligibility is confirmed, you can start enjoying the Prime benefits.

[HiloJulie]

Here is a good sounding additional program:

"Registration for Big Island’s summer meal program Kaukau 4 Keiki opens next week"

Snipped:

Kaukau 4 Keiki is a six-week program, sponsored by the nonprofit Vibrant Hawai‘i, that begins the week of June 22 and ends the week of July 31, 2026. 

Program has limitations if enrolled in other like programs, but if it helps someone, have at it!

More at link:

https://bigislandnow.com/2026/02/21/regi...next-week/

[Punatang]

Here is a good sounding additional program: -HJ

That is a great one Julie and your reminder is apropos because the program has a limited window to sign up.

Thanks for digging that up.  

What would also be of great value is if Punawebbers could share some of their more grassroots techniques in attaining food security resilience here in Puna.

MyManao often mentions his "relationship with the Mother" which helps to keep him fed.

Punikahakaiferrett has an akamai strategy husbanding poultry in an open relationship.

I bet Wahine and Kane have at least one reproducible produce generation model.

Kalianna is for sure making food happen.

Most of us probably have at least one or two tricks we could pass on to aspiring resilient Punawebbers.

Please share them and watch it grow!

[Punatang]

Use the SNAP retailer locator to find the retailers closest to you who accept SNAP/EBT

https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/retailer-locator

Actual Locator Tool Shortcut >>>>>  SNAP Locator Tool

[Punatang]

Hawaii Farm-to-Car is a great way to acquire the freshest produce and products while supporting Big Island farmers and creators.

They take SNAP/EBT and participate in DaBux program.

• Create your customer account and shop online. Our market shop is open for purchases from 10 AM Friday until 6 PM Monday.Wednesday: Distribution Day! Pick up your order from one of three distribution locations from 
  
• • Hilo 3-6 PM: 355 Kino'ole Street
    
  • Kea‘au 3-6 PM: 16-492 Old Volcano Rd
    
  • Pepeʻekeo 3-5 PM 28-1099 Old Mamalahoa Hwy
    

CLICK HERE TO SHOP!

https://shop.hawaiifarmtocar.org/Index

[Olohana 1790]

buy 1 fishing pole and a RockStar drink from J Hara Store and drive to coast. duh duh duh

[HiloJulie]

I know the Tang has found far more pressing and important tasks to do of late, so to remind anyone reading that if you or anyone you know is/are on SNAP, and any of your food, purchased prior with SNAP benefits, that was destroyed by last week's storms, you can and must submit applications for replacement benefits by April 2, 2026.

https://humanservices.hawaii.gov/importa...il-2-2026/

[leilanidude]

buy 1 fishing pole and a RockStar drink from J Hara Store and drive to coast. duh duh duh

You can also buy a box of frozen squid to use as bait, with that SNAP card.

[Punatang]

SNAP Hot Food Purchase Waiver Approved Statewide Through May 16th.  Purchase hot and prepared foods with your EBT card from now through May 16th due to ongoing impacts from the March 2026 Kona Low weather events.


https://humanservices.hawaii.gov/snap-ho...gh-may-16/


April 17, 2026

HONOLULU — The Hawaiʻi Department of Human Services (DHS) has received federal approval for a temporary waiver allowing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) households to purchase hot foods using their benefits at authorized retailers statewide, from [b]April 17 through May 16, 2026.[/b]

The waiver, approved April 17 by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), provides critical flexibility for households impacted by the March 2026 Kona Low weather events, which caused widespread flooding, power outages and damage to homes across the state.

Under normal circumstances, SNAP benefits cannot be used to purchase hot or prepared foods. This temporary waiver allows eligible households to buy hot meals, helping those who may be unable to cook or safely store food due to ongoing impacts from the disaster.

“This waiver provides immediate, practical relief for families across Hawaiʻi who are still recovering from the recent storms,” said Governor Josh Green. “By allowing the purchase of hot meals with SNAP benefits, we’re helping ensure that residents who may not have access to cooking facilities can still put food on the table as they recover.”

FNS approved the waiver statewide in recognition of the severity and widespread effects of the Kona Low weather systems, which resulted in displacement and ongoing challenges for affected households.

“Authorized SNAP retailers across Hawaiʻi have been notified of the waiver and may begin accepting SNAP benefits for eligible hot food purchases during the approved period,” said DHS Deputy Director Joseph Campos. “Retailers will require [b]24 to 48 hours from April 17[/b] to make necessary updates to their point-of-sale systems to support hot food purchases.”

The waiver is authorized under Section 412 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act and Section 5(h)(1) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008.

DHS may request an extension of the waiver if conditions warrant additional relief.

For more information about SNAP benefits and disaster-related assistance, visit the DHS website or contact your nearest DHS Processing Center.

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To go straight to the food and resources, click here >  TAKE ME TO THE FOOD!!