Eat Local Hawaii

Local Food Sources

Now that you’ve decided to go local, where are the best places to shop? Can you find local foods in your favorite supermarket or do you need to switch to a co-op, health food store, Whole Foods, or a Farmer’s Market. And since you’re on a tight budget do you have time to shop around for the best deals?  Maybe you’re ready to try something new that you didn’t know grew in Hawaii. Well, here’s the place where you can get some answers. Each week I’m going to do the shop hunting for you and post availability and prices for your favorite items.

Here’s what I found at 3 markets this week: 

Umeke Market

  • Apple bananas ($1.69/lb)
  • Kahuku papayas ($1.59/lb)
  • Assorted herbs from Ko farms (rosemary, thai basil, chives, arugula, dill, basil, oregano, mint, tarragon, peppermint, under $2 for a small bag)
  • Kale ($3.89/bunch)
  • Collards ($2.69/bunch)
  • Ma’o organic greens: mizuna, tatsoi, arugula and sassy greens ($2.09/bunch)
  • Lone Palms sprouts ($1.49/ 4oz)

Whole Foods Kahala

  • Apple bananas ($1.99/lb)
  • Strawberry Papayas ($1.99/lb for Kumu Farms on Molokai, Organic or conventionally grown)
  • Kapoho Solo Papayas ($1.69/ lb, grown by Diamond Head papayas on Oahu); super tasty!
  • Rapoza Mangos ($5.99/lb, organic)
  • Maui White Pineapple ($1.99/lb, on sale from $3.99/lb)
  • Dragon fruit ($9.99/lb)
  • Hamakua tomatoes ($5.99/lb, assorted varieties, cocktail, heirloom)
  • Cucumbers ($2/each)
  • Asparagus ($5.99/lb, Twin Bridge farms)
  • Bok Choy ($1.99 conventional, $3.99 Ma’o organic)
  • Radishes ($2.49/bunch)
  • Watercress ($3.99/bunch)

 

Times Kahala (all Times markets will have similar produce)

  • Apple bananas ($1.29/lb, Ohana Banana Farm, Big Island)
  • Papaya ($1.69/lb, Song from Big Island)
  • Honeydew Melons ($1.19/lb, Aloun Farms, medium sized melon is 3 lbs)
  • Sunburst Melon ($.59/lb, Aloun Farms)
  • Thai Watermelon ($.39/lb, Aloun Farms)
  • Roma Tomatoes ($2.19/lb, Sugarland, although these were not labeled ‘local’)
  • Conventional Tomatoes ($1.99/lb, Sugarland)
  • Maui Pineapple ($1.59/lb, about $5/ each)
  • Watermelon ($.43/lb for both seedless and regular, Kunia Sugarland)
  • May’s hydroponic north shore lettuce medley ($3.69/ 12 oz)
  • Rainbow Hawaii Farm herbs ($1.69/each tarragon, oregano, sage)

 

How do you know whether something is grown locally? ASK!  Whole Foods is the winner for labeling their produce, they also locate their local produce mostly in one area and their labels include the name of the farm. Umeke has cut back on selling much of their produce but what they did have was all grown locally. A great selection of fresh-looking greens and herbs can be found in their deli fridge and local papayas and apple bananas are on display. Times has a good selection of local melons, tomatoes, bananas and papayas but do not have all their items labeled local. Ask a produce worker to point out the local items for you.  Interestingly, they sell mainland grown and canadian hot house tomatoes for 3 times the price.

 

Next week: Costco, Safeway, Down to Earth and Kokua Markets

 

Costco 

  • Ho’s cucumbers ($5.49/ 3lbs)
  • Ho’s family pack small tomatoes ($4.29/ 1 lb)
  • Ho’s roma tomatoes ($5.99/ lb)
  • Bananas ($4.99 /3 lb)
  • Hamakua mushrooms
  • Maui Pineapple (approx $1/lb)
  • Hamakua Tomatoes ($6.99/ 2 lb)
  • Papaya, Hawaiian Classic ($4.99/ 5 lb)
  • Japanese Eggplant, Diversified Ag Products ($5.99/ 3 lb)
  • Watermelon, Sugarland ($7.99 /each)
  • Sweet potato chips (3/ $9.99 4 oz bags)
  • Opah ($10.99/ lb)