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I review the weekly "specials" when I get the paper on Tuesday, make a shopping list based upon what I see, and do my shopping Wednesday morning (first day of the specials). I do this because in the past, if I go later, they will say they're all sold out. It costs me $5.00 for gas to make the round-trip and I want to make sure it's worth the trip. This week, I first went to Safeway because of a special that would save me about $6.00. They didn't have any, and I got a rain check which could turn out to be worthless because I've been through this with them in the past, and they never restocked the item. I then did some shopping at KTA (my favorite store) and then I went to Foodland, my least favorite store. I had a rain check for a "special" from the week before, so I was going back to get the item. They didn't have it, and the manager told me they wouldn't be getting any more.
This happens quite often, and it's very frustrating.
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Try the Sack and Save(owned by Foodland)downtown. They stock up better there and the staff is really friendly too. Since Foodland owns the market in Pahoa, they should also honor the raincheck, not sure if they will though. Their sales are usually the same as Sack and Save, just a bit more limited. It is far better than the one by KTA and you can go to the farmer's market while you are there to buy local produce which is cheaper and healthier than what KTA et al fly in from the mainland and China.
Aloha au i Hawai`i,
devany
www.myhawaiianhome.blogspot.com
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I don't buy any foodstuff from China. Gives me the creeps. And while on the subject, I happen to be a mushroom lover and I always see those big bags of dried mushrooms on sale. One brand, on the front, gives the name of a distributer and it's done in such a way as to make you think it's not a product from the country that harvests human organs from prisoners. Yet if you look on the back (look real hard, because the printing is nearly transparent), and you'll see it's a product of North Korea's neighbor and benefactor. Talk about pushing the envelope on false advertizing!
The real bummer is that I happen to LOVE Chinese food!!!
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That is a bummer Centipede... because if you go to any Chinese restaurant on this island, they will use 99% Chinese imported products.
Try dried Morels, they are 100% American. And most Porcini are from Italy. Or, you could seriously reduce your carbon footprint and buy Hamakua Mushrooms. I have some video about them here (3rd video down on the post): http://myhawaiianhome.blogspot.com/2009/...-more.html
Aloha au i Hawai`i,
devany
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Devany, I'm painfully aware of the bummer factor so I cook my own "Chinese" food and, with the exception of my pork fried rice, it's not nearly as good as the restaurants. Morels (dried and fresh) are my absolute favorite. Too bad they're so expensive. Thanks for the video. Where do they get the ****ake mushrooms for the pizza?
The last two times I went to the Hilo farmer's market, I couldn't help but notice how many stalls had the same veggies, that looked the same, and were priced exactly the same. I got little sense that they were grown on different farms. Most of the vendors seemed like sales people, not farmers. Really makes me wonder. The price-fixing is a real turnoff to me. I prefer shopping there as I have a dislike of shopping in the cold produce section under fluorescent lights, but honestly I'm not so sure the produce is much less commercial.
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Those mushrooms are grown up near Honoka'a. You can find them at Sack n Save sometimes. Also at the Kino'ole Farmer's Market that is located at 1990 Kino'ole St. This market is 100# local grown and mostly organic. It is small and you must get there early (7-8 am) on Saturday mornings to get a good selection. They are also available at the Hilo Farmer's Markets on Saturdays and usually at the Waimea Farmer's Market. I make the Waimea markets on the first Saturday of every month. There are 2 X the vendors then and it is the only place I can find ground lamb or veal bones on the island. The Parker School Farmer's Market has a 100% local organic vendor that has over 100 varieties of veggies. The same vendor, Kekela Farms has a farm market, also 100 % local organic at their farm 64-604 Mana Road, Waimea on Tuesday and Friday afternoons from 2-5.
I also go to the Volcano Market on Sunday mornings (MUST get there by 7 or they will be sold out) about once a month. The Volcano market is another one which is mostly local, I would say 95% local. And with the higher elevation, they and the Wiamea Markets have some different things than we do at different seasons.
Sorry to be so verbose, but this is my job, reporting on farmer's markets for EHI.
Kathy, if you visit the above, you may be happier, though they are not quite as close to you. Hilo Market does have about 20 vendors that sell their own produce, but there are also a great many that buy from the co-op (still mostly Hawaiian Grown) and sell at the farmer's market. I am like you, I like to buy directly from the farmer, so I have made it a practice of getting to know the local farmers, sometimes they even sell from their farms if you get to know them. Anyway, there is a lot of great local stuff at the Hilo Market, but with a commercial market like that, it is always open to anyone who wants to sell. There is a new market in Lapahoehoe on Sunday mornings. I have not been to it yet, I usually wait for a while before reviewing a farmer's market.
There are a few roadside stands I visit for local corn and a few other things. I should have a bumper sticker on my car "Caution Stops for Produce".
For a full list of all Hawaiian Farmer's Markets including hours etc., pick up your free copy of Edible Hawaiian Islands magazine at Borders, Island Naturals or Abundant Life.
Aloha au i Hawai`i,
devany
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quote:
Originally posted by centipede
I review the weekly "specials" when I get the paper on Tuesday, make a shopping list based upon what I see, and do my shopping Wednesday morning (first day of the specials). I do this because in the past, if I go later, they will say they're all sold out. It costs me $5.00 for gas to make the round-trip and I want to make sure it's worth the trip. This week, I first went to Safeway because of a special that would save me about $6.00. They didn't have any, and I got a rain check which could turn out to be worthless because I've been through this with them in the past, and they never restocked the item. I then did some shopping at KTA (my favorite store) and then I went to Foodland, my least favorite store. I had a rain check for a "special" from the week before, so I was going back to get the item. They didn't have it, and the manager told me they wouldn't be getting any more.
This happens quite often, and it's very frustrating.
this has happened to me on several occasions and at different markets as well. once, when i was looking for oyster sauce at sack n save, puainako, they were sold out of the sale item. without asking, the manager on duty, substituted a different brand at the sale price. it never hurts to ask them if they would make a substitute with a like item. or perhaps have them call another store to see if it's in stock.
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order shall return."
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w. james
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Did you try to call a day before you going and talk to the manager to make sure if you come at the very beginning the product would be available?
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Thanks, Devany, for the breakdown on farmers and explaining about the Co-Op. I figured there was some mechanism as the middle man, but didn't know what.
I do know the list for all the farmer's markets, and am aware of them, but I am a) totally not a morning person and b) not a foodie. I'm just someone who wants to restock the basic fruit and veggies for the week, specifically to pay less because it's direct. But it is very important to me not to spend time and gas doing it, and to do a one stop shopping if possible. LOL, I cannot imagine driving to Volcano. I go there maybe twice a year! Or to Waimea ...
After years of driving the same highway, it's not something I do for fun at this point. I have family reasons to drive across island and I save my gas money for that. It costs me at least $20 in gas and two and a half hours to go to Waimea and back; that is too far for produce ... not having a professional interest in it.
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