#The Food Basket

While the facilities are closed, The Food Basket team is standing by and coordinating with partners should emergency food response be needed.

Purpose of the Hawai‘i Democrat’s visits was to discuss Impact of federal funding and consequences of President Donald Trump’s policies

The community can support local families this holiday season with the annual “Fill a Police Cruiser” food drive at the Kona Costco this Friday.

Sixth grade students organized a food distribution event from front to back in two weeks as a way to give back before Thanksgiving.

With the uncertainty surrounding the federal government shutdown, which began Oct. 1 and has become the longest in U.S. history, the Big Island has several food drops planned for November. The Food Basket ‘Ohana Food Drop Schedule Date Location Start Time November 4, 2025 (Tuesday) Hilo: Afook-Chinen Auditorium 10:00 AM November 6, 2025 (Thursday) Kona: […]

All twelve state library branches on Hawaiʻi Island are accepting food donations in response to SNAP disruptions and the federal shutdown.

As the federal government shutdown persists, The Food Basket is supporting Hawaiʻi Island’s federal workers and residents in need with extended pantry hours and the revival of ʻOhana Food Drops this month.

With generous support from friends and neighbors in the Kūkiʻo, Kohala Coast and Waimea communities — along with many others around the island, state and nation — early efforts will focus on underserved areas where families might feel the greatest impact of the disruption, including North Hawaiʻi, the Hāmākua Coast and Puna mauka.

These grants are designed to support and scale up local food production around Hawaiʻi Island, empowering farmers, ranchers and food producers to expand operations and strengthen Hawaiʻi’s food security. There were 32 grants awarded in 2025 totaling $710,000.

The Food Basket, Hawaiʻi Island’s Food Bank, awarded $8.4 million to extend program through end of 2026, benefiting SNAP participants and local farmers statewide.

The 32nd annual National Association of Letter Carriers annual event is Saturday nationwide, including in Hawai‘i.

Hawai‘i Island’s food hubs are bridging the gap between local farmers and consumers, offering Community Supported Agriculture boxes, online markets, and commodity distribution to support local agriculture and provide easy access to fresh produce.

Everyone is invited to the free, family-friendly walk-and-talk “Are You Ready?” Waimea Fire Prevention and Resilience Fair on Sept. 9.

Hawai‘i Foodbank Kaua‘i and The Food Basket on the Big Island also are lending their support this Food Drive Day to those impacted by the wildfires.

Kaiser Permanente Hawaiʻi has pledged $10,000 in donations to support three community organizations working to fight food insecurity.

SNAP eligibility and benefit amounts are based on income limits set by the United States Department of Agriculture and the Food and Nutrition Services.

The second Waikōloa Holiday Food Drive resulted in the collection of enough food to fill Santa’s sleigh and $4,500 in additional monetary donations to support The Food Basket, Hawaiʻi Island’s Food Bank. 

Enjoy traditional holiday songs, learn to dance the “Chanukah Hula” and much more during the free event.

The food bank will host four emergency food distribution events islandwide in December.

“Kai and Hōkū Explore Foods of Hawai‘i” encourages families to get excited about exploring more local foods together.