Conservation International Hawaii received a $100,000 grant to start a Community Supported Fishery (CSF) business, Local I'a. The grant was among a dozen grants is sued by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation's Fisheries Innovation Fund. 

Local I'a will be the first community supported fishery business in Hawai'i, providing fresh, local, and sustainably sourced seafood through a membership based business. As a social impact enterprise, its mission is to increase access to,and consumption of, locally sourced seafood while improving profitability for producers, and sustainability in our local fisheries. 

"Local I'a will provide local and sustainable seafood to the O'ahu community and we want this business to put seafood at the forefront of our local food economy," said Jack Kittinger, Director of Conservation International's Hawai'i program. "This member-supported model bridges sustainable fishermen directly to the consumer, broadening access to fresh, local, and sustainably sourced seafood."

Local Iʻa will work to improve public awareness of ocean and fisheries issues by changing consumption behavior away from non-sustainable, imported seafood and toward the prioritized consumption of local, sustainably caught seafood. According to Jason Chow, the Operations Manager for Local I'a, "This will be done through education and increased transparency in the seafood supply chain to build awareness of the importance and value of our local fisheries to Hawai'i's communities and economy. Currently, more than 60% of all commercial seafood sold in Hawai'i today is imported."

The business managers, together with partners in fisheries and marine science, will also develop a set of sustainability guidelines that will guide the sourcing of seafood. The business will also seek to create more awareness of sustainability issues in seafood, including through weekly outreach, which will include biographies on local fishers, recipes from local chefs, species seasonality, and environmental information on ocean health.

As the incubator for this business, Conservation International Hawai'i will provide the technical expertise and start-up funding and infrastructure for the successful establishment of the business. Profits from the business will be directed toward ocean stewardship and sustainable fishery initiatives.

Local Iʻa will have its initial roll-out this fall with a limited set of members, and by the end of the year, Local Iʻa plans on going public, opening up membership across Oʻahu. To learn more and get updates follow Local I'a on Facebook .

ĀINA In Schools Volunteer Opportunities  

for Slow Food Members

 Āina In Schools is a farm to school program of the Kōkua Hawaiʻi Foundation founded in 2006 that connects children to their land, waters and food to grow a healthier Hawaiʻi. The program is currently in 15 Oʻahu elementary schools and is growing!  They are building our base of community volunteers for the 2014-15 school year. If you enjoy educating the next generation about how to make healthy food choices, composting, growing, and cooking your own food become an ʻĀINA In Schools volunteer!

There are many ways Slow Food members can support this program at a local school in your community. ʻĀINA In Schools volunteer opportunities include:

• ʻĀINA In Schools Nutrition/Garden/Compost Docents:

ʻĀINA In Schools docents lead monthly hands-on, standards-based garden lessons for grades K, 1, 4, and 5, compost lessons for grade 3, and nutrition lessons for grades 2 and 6 at our ʻĀINA partner schools. No experience is necessary, training is provided, and times are flexible! Check out the 'ÄINA In Schools curricula and resources.

• 'ĀINA In Schools Garden Parties:

Bring your friends and family to a ʻĀINA In Schools Garden Parties held 3 times a year to prepare the school garden for planting. Fall ʻĀINA In Schools Garden Parties occur in August and early September and will be announced soon.

• 'ĀINA In Schools Garden Clubs:

Do you have a green thumb and enjoy spending time in the garden? Then come and assist at a school's 'ĀINA Garden Club. Weekly 'ĀINA Garden Club activities include garden care, planting, harvesting, cooking and art.

• 'ĀINA In Schools Chef Visits:

Are you a chef or know one? Through our 'ĀINA In Schools Chef Visits we partner with local chefs to cook up garden fresh, locally sourced recipes with students during October National Farm to School Month.

If interested in any of the above volunteer opportunities, contact the Kōkua Hawaiʻi Foundation's Volunteer Coordinator. The ʻĀINA In Schools program depends on community support!

Check out the Kōkua Hawaiʻi Foundation website for more information about programs, events and resources: www.kokuahawaiifoundation.org

Slow Food O'ahu Convivium website  

Slow Food Hawai'i Convivium website  

Slow Food International website

Contact reservations.sfoahu@yahoo.com for information on our events.
Contact slowfoodoahu@yahoo.com for general information

Slow Food O'ahu on Facebook. Please click here to check us out:   http://www.facebook.com/pages/Slow-Food-Oahu/163195710427565