$2M in federal funds earmarked for Hawai‘i Island Food Basket

The Hawai‘i Island Food Basket is set to receive $2 million in federal funding that will be used to build a new steel farmers market pavilion for local farmers, food vendors, and small businesses to sell produce.

The new pavilion will be part of the Food Basket’s Hoʻolako Agriculture Innovation Park, which is projected to create or sustain nearly 190 agricultural jobs and significantly expand the processing capacity for local staple crops.

U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) secured the funds in congressionally directed spending, also known as an earmark, in this year’s appropriations deal for the nonprofit.

“This new earmark funding will help more people on Hawai‘i Island put healthy, locally grown food on their tables, benefiting both local farmers and families in need,” said Schatz, a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee.

By integrating traditional agricultural knowledge with modern innovation, the park will reduce the island’s 90% dependency on imported food and create a more stable supply chain, according to a news release from Schatz’s office.

“The inclusion of $2,000,000 for the Hoʻolako Farmers Market Pavilion in the 2026 federal budget is a transformative victory for food security on Hawai‘i Island,” said Kristin Frost Albrecht, Executive Director of the Food Basket. “This investment allows us to build a permanent, community-centered space that bridges the gap between our hardworking local farmers and the families who rely on fresh, nutritious food. We are deeply grateful for this support, which strengthens our local food system and paves the way for a more self-reliant and resilient Hawai‘i.”

Recent data found that 43% of households, approximately 90,000 individuals on Hawai‘i Island, struggle to access consistent, nutritious meals. As the island’s food bank, the Food Basket distributes more than 3.5 million pounds of food annually through a network of more than 100 partner agencies.