Edible Hawaiian Islands Farm Day
Kauai Food Tour – Farmers Market
Edible Hawaiian Islands (eHI) announces the official declaration of Edible Hawaiian Islands Farm Day, as proclaimed by Governor David Ige. Officially cited for May 23, 2015, residents and visitors of Hawaii are invited to jump on the proverbial “farm wagon” by visiting a farm and tagging any and all social media posts with the hashtag #eHIFarmDay15, thereby creating a collective space where our favorite Hawaii farmers can be identified, recognized and supported.
HOW IT WORKS: 1) Pick up the Spring issue of edible Hawaiian Islands magazine or download the Farm Guide for a wide selection of agricultural producers from across the islands. (The guide contains farmers, ranchers, food producers and supporters conveniently divided by island. Before you visit, it’s best to confirm info as offerings are subject to change). 2) SHOP at Hawaii farmers markets, VISIT a farm, TAKE a farm tour or WORK on a farm on May 23, 2015. 2) Share your experiences on Facebook, Instagram and/ or Twitter using the hashtag #EHIFarmDay15.
Learning from local food growers and makers on the North Shore Food Tour
“Supporting local agriculture has gained traction over the years resulting in more ag tours on farms to educate the public and keep them connected to agriculture,” remarks Hawaii AgriTourism Association Executive Director Lani Weigert, ” More and more, local and global communities want to know their farmer, know how their food is grown and how to prepare it. Farm fresh food is a major part of this movement and Farm Day showcases this as well as the talents of our Hawaii chefs too. I hope many will visit farms or shop at local farmers markets in celebration of Farm Day in Hawaii. I know I will!”
Now in its second year, the edible Hawaiian Islands Farm Day social media event saw nearly three million impressions and 800-plus active users on social media in its inaugural 2014 event. From Hawaii to Japan and Italy to Israel, the edible community shared Farm Day experiences via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and more that ranged from cradling a just-plucked mango to inhaling the refreshing fragrance of lavender.
Kauai Food Tour – Farmers Market
“True to eHI’s mission, Farm Day is a celebration of our family farmers and food producers, including their dedication to providing us with the highest quality of fresh and seasonal foods,” remarks Edible Hawaiian Islands Publisher Dania Katz, “because the variety of micro-climates in Hawaii enables year-round cultivation of both tropical and temperate plants, we’re excited to see a connection in the diversity of subject matter linked to the diversity of our eHI community. Watching these posts come in is such a thrill.”
“We support this statewide social media event because we want to be part of the movement to express our aloha to all farmers and growers throughout Hawaii,” says Chef Noah Hester, General Manager of Blue Dragon Restaurant and Farm, “Bringing your family and friends on a farm tour or shopping at a farmers market – just to shake hands with a farmer and thank them personally – is so important. We are hosting a farm dinner on our farm this day and, along with people who have purchased a seat at the table, we have invited 25 farmers as our guests to share a meal that they grew. We look forward to feeding the public and our farmers!”