Support Local Farmers With A Visit To This Drive-Through Market In Hawaii
By Megan Shute|Published April 18, 2020
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Megan Shute
Author
With more than 10 years of experience as a professional writer, Megan holds a degree in Mass Media from her home state of Minnesota. After college, she chose to trade in her winter boots for slippahs and moved to the beautiful island of Oahu, where she has been living for more than five years. She lives on the west side but is constantly taking mini-road trips across the island and visits the neighboring islands whenever she can getaway. She loves hiking, snorkeling, locally-grown coffee, and finding the best acai bowl on Oahu.
There is little we love more than purchasing fresh, local fruits and vegetables that have been grown right here in the Aloha State. And while we typically love visiting our favorite farmers’ markets to stock up on all of our favorite produce, the rapidly-evolving COVID-19 pandemic makes it tough for farmers to sell — and consumers to purchase — locally-grown produce. Luckily for us, the Hawaii Farm Bureau has created a brand-new drive-through market.
The Farm to Car pilot program may have started to support hardworking farmers and continue to supply families with fresh produce during a crisis, but the Hawaii Farm Bureau hopes it will evolve for years to come with multiple pick-up locations throughout the week.
For now, though, this new and convenient online marketplace opens on Sundays and Thursdays at noon and can accommodate up to 300 orders per day. Upon reaching the order threshold, the shop automatically closes.
You never know what you’ll be able to purchase from this online marketplace! Farms across the island of Oahu, and even the neighboring islands, are participating in this pilot program and item availability varies.
Once you place your order online, they will be available for pickup between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays at the Neal S. Blaisdell Center along Ward Avenue next to the Box Office.
In order to comply with CDC guidelines regarding social distancing, all orders must be picked up in your vehicle. Don’t forget your receipt and be aware that refunds are not available.
Any orders not picked up during the designated time window will be donated to either the Hawaii Food Bank or Aloha Harvest.
Prices are set by the farmers, and during the pilot program, 100 percent of the proceeds are going back to the farmers and small businesses themselves. The farmers are not charged a fee, but the customers will pay a $3 pickup fee to help offset labor and credit card transaction fees — a small price to pay for delicious, fresh, and local produce!
Interested in learning more about the Hawaii Farm Bureau’s Farm to Car program and perhaps placing an order for yourself? Visit their website. Would you participate in this brand-new pilot program? What’s your favorite way to purchase fresh, island produce? Sound off in the comments below.
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