Hawai‘i is at a crossroads. Despite our deep agricultural roots and capacity to grow food, we import nearly 90% of what we eat.

At the same time, 1 in 3 households in our state struggle with food insecurity. This stark contradiction demands action — one that Senate Bill 1250 and House Bill 428, the Farm to Families Program — aims to address.

For decades, food banks across Hawai‘i have been a vital safety net for families in need. At Maui Food Bank, we distribute food to families and individuals across Maui, Moloka‘i and Lāna‘i through direct service programs and a network of 170 agency partners.

Last year alone, we served nearly 45,000 people each month, distributing 8.7 million pounds of food, including 2.3 million pounds of fresh produce. But despite our best efforts, the demand for nutritious, local food continues to outpace supply.

That’s why we need the Hawai‘i Farm to Families Program. This measure is a win-win for both local farmers and families experiencing food insecurity. It provides much-needed funding for food banks and distribution organizations to purchase fresh, locally grown produce directly from Hawai‘i’s farmers and ranchers — strengthening our agricultural economy while ensuring that families in need receive healthy, nutritious food.

Farm to Families reduces Hawai‘i’s dependence on imported food by investing in local agriculture, making our food system stronger and more self-sustaining. This is especially important in the wake of disasters like the Maui wildfires, which demonstrated how vulnerable our food supply chain is during times of crisis. Expanding local food production and distribution is not just an economic necessity but a matter of community resilience.

Farmers across the state struggle with unpredictable market conditions. Natural disasters, economic downturns, and shifting tourism trends all impact their ability to sell their products reliably.

These bills create a steady and dependable market for Hawai‘i-grown food, giving farmers the security they need to continue growing high-quality produce and proteins. By ensuring a reliable buyer, the program supports the livelihoods of local farmers while feeding those who need it most.

Fresh, healthy food should not be a luxury. Yet for too many families, the rising cost of living forces impossible choices between rent, utilities, medicine, and meals.

The Farm to Families Program helps bridge this gap by increasing access to fresh, Hawai‘i-grown food for keiki, kūpuna, and working families, improving long-term health outcomes in the process.

At Maui Food Bank, we’ve already seen the powerful impact of partnering with local farmers.

Through our Fresh 4 All program, we purchase and pick up fresh produce from local farmers, wholesalers and farmers’ markets, reducing transportation and access barriers for families in need. Our ‘Ai Holo program works with 15 local farmers to deliver weekly boxes of fresh produce, dairy, and proteins to low-income children and families in rural areas like Hāna, Moloka‘i and Lāna‘i.

These programs work, but their success depends on sustainable funding. We cannot continue to rely on short-term, emergency solutions to address food insecurity and agricultural sustainability. Hawai‘i needs a long-term commitment to strengthening our local food systems and ensuring that fresh, nutritious food reaches those who need it most.

With Farm to Families, we have the opportunity to invest in Hawai‘i’s farmers, strengthen our local economy, and ensure that fresh, healthy food is accessible to all, no matter their circumstances.

This legislation supports a future where no family goes hungry, and every farmer thrives. Now is the time to make Farm to Families a reality.