#USDA
Hawaiʻi Education Department to use USDA food safety standards for produce suppliers next year
Starting in the 2025-26 school year, all farms that supply produce to the Department of Education will need to be Good Agricultural Practices certified through the USDA.
Nearly $525K in federal grants coming to support specialty crops and programs in Hawai‘i
The projects that will be funded this year include research on disease-resistant varieties of coffee plants, improving ʻawa and corn production, education and outreach activities for macadamia nuts and horticultural crops, as well as expanding markets for various specialty crops.
Public schools to feed Hawai‘i keiki this summer
Summer meals are offered for on-campus dining only; there is no grab-and-go option.
In first, Hawaiʻi delegation goes to Washington for USDA support
The delegation included state legislators, Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau, Hawai‘i Cattlemen’s Council, Hawai‘i Crop Improvement Association, Hawai‘i Floriculture and Nursery Association, and Synergistic Hawai‘i Agricultural Council, farmers, ranchers and advocates.
USDA expands Pasture, Rangeland and Forage insurance to include Big Island livestock producers
The PRF insurance option protects livestock producers against feed loss due to lack of precipitation, providing producers on the Big Island with coverage for grazing acres, totaling $13 million in coverage.
USDA begins process of updating SNAP benefits in Hawai‘i to reflect high food costs
On Thursday, the federal agriculture department began seeking information from Hawai‘i stakeholders about food costs and how SNAP can better serve the state’s communities. Information gathering will continue through March 4.
Agroforestry funding application now available for Hawai‘i farmers
The Expanding Agroforestry Project is funded by the Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities initiative, led by the United States Department of Agriculture.
State Legislature working group tackles wildfire prevention in Hawaiʻi
As Hawaiʻi grapples with a surge in wildfires threatening communities and ecosystems, bipartisan efforts are underway to introduce legislation to tackle prevention and preparedness.
Business Monday: Founders of Island Jerky Crunchy Munchies bring flavor, love to every bag
Starting as a side hustle seven years ago, the Tsukamotos have turned their homemade beef jerky into a thriving business.
U.S. Department of Agriculture grants $533,000 to Hawaiʻi for specialty crops
The U.S. Department of Agriculture awarded $533,251 to Hawai‘i under the 2023 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program for eight projects that support ornamental cut flowers and eucalyptus, and the propagation of papaya crops.
Public comments open for Hawaiʻi Resilient Food Systems program priorities
The Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture is seeking public comment until Aug. 11 for the U.S. Department of Agriculture Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program, which aims to strengthen the stateʻs food supply chain.
$8 Million in additional federal funds now flowing to Hawaiʻi to feed keiki
Hawaiʻi’s reimbursement rate for school meals and other federal child nutrition programs has been increased to 30% above the continental U.S. rates, which is projected to bring an additional $8 million a year to Hawaiʻi to support healthy meals for children.
USDA pilot program to help people in rural American Samoa repair homes damaged by future natural disasters
The homes must be located in eligible rural areas and presidentially declared disaster areas in states selected to participate in the pilot, which includes American Samoa.
Biden-Harris Administration creates grants for rural business, agriculture in Hawai‘i, Western Pacific
The USDA is making $21 million in technical assistance grants available through the Rural Energy for America Program to help prospective applicants access the program.
USDA partners with local lender to expand access to homes in rural Hawaiʻi
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has entered into an agreement with Hawaiʻi Community Lending to expand access to homes in rural Hawaʻi for low and very-low income residents.
Hawai‘i Attorney General announces settlement with Suboxone maker for alleged illegal monopoly tactics
In 2016, the states filed a complaint against Indivior alleging that it used illegal means to switch the Suboxone market from tablets to film, while attempting to destroy the market for tablets, in order to preserve its drug monopoly.
USDA Forest Service awards grants to 4 Big Island communities for mitigating wildfires
The Community Wildfire Defense Grants for the Big Island will be used to update four Community Wildfire Protection Plans that are seven to eight years old.
Invasive species prevention in Hawai‘i gets millions in federal funding
Funding is focused on the prevention of invasive species from entering the islands, including fruit flies.
Social Security’s 8.7% increase could effect eligibility for SNAP households in Hawaiʻi
SNAP eligibility and benefit amounts are based on income limits set by the United States Department of Agriculture and the Food and Nutrition Services.
$2.7 million in grants to help small-scale agriculture throughout Hawaiʻi
More than 130 of the grants awarded through the Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture’s Micro-Grants for Food Security Program are coming to the Big Island.