HIFA’s mission is to create a resilient, economically just, ecologically sound, and culturally rich food system for Hawai‘i Island. Comprised of people and organizations from across the food system, together, we are a resource to share knowledge and opportunities, catalyze action, influence policy, and initiate project partnerships. We are a forum for food issues, a platform for action, and uniquely poised to connect agriculture and food, policy and advocacy, creating a robust community food systems plan for all the people of Hawai’i Island.  

The Hawaiʻi Island Food Alliance (HIFA) was formed out of the 2015 FEAST (Food, Education, Agriculture, Solutions, Together).  This organizing event was led by community stakeholders with the goal of increasing food security on Hawaiʿi Island, with roots going back to the first Hawai’i Island Food Summit in 2007, the agricultural and food systems work of The Kohala Center, and the work of HMSA’s Blue Zones Project.   

In 2018, HIFA lobbied to create a food systems and food access position in the County Office of Research & Development, the first position of its kind in the State,  with funding from the State Department of Health SNAP-Ed. The COH Food Access Coordinator, hired Nov. ‘18, serves as a facilitator for HIFA meetings.

HIFA’s work today for a resilient and sustainable local food system is built on a foundation of advocacy, research,  and the dedication of local non-profits, including The Food Basket and The Kohala Center, County of Hawai‘i Department of Research & Development, Department of Health SNAP-Ed, Blue Zones Project Hawai‘i and community leaders.