Article Photos

WAILUKU - In a bid to get Maui's underfed population off a diet of canned beans and Spam, Kaiser Permanente on Monday donated $50,000 to the Maui Food Bank to be used to purchase fresh, locally grown food.

The gift kicked off a drive called Fresh-4-All to support the health of those in need on Maui by providing nutritious locally grown produce.

Maui farmers, too, will benefit from being called on to provide produce for distribution to indigent, homeless and at-risk people. Priority will be given to people with diabetes.

Richard Yust, executive director of the Maui Food Bank, said, "Like other parts of the state, we've seen a 20 percent increase in the need for our services. At the same time, our agency partners who work with us to serve over 10,000 men, women and children on the island have asked if more fresh produce can be provided as a way to improve the nutrition needs of their clients, many of whom are diabetic. We know that good nutrition is a critical factor in preventive care, with five servings of fruits and vegetables every day recommended as part of a varied and healthful diet.

"But until Fresh-4-All began to take shape, the Food Bank had access, primarily, to donations in the form of canned and packaged foods. Thanks to this program, anyone, regardless of socioeconomic class or situation, is encouraged to make smart choices by eating well."

Other partners in the drive are the Maui County Farm Bureau and Maui County. The drive will ramp up later this fall. The program will also provide information on healthful eating habits and nutrition.

Mary Hew, Kaiser's clinics operations manager for the Neighbor Islands, said, "The Maui Food Bank serves such an important need in our community - feeding the hungry. By making fresh produce available, we are closing that nutritional gap for an already vulnerable segment of our community."

She added, "By partnering with the Maui County Farm Bureau, Fresh-4-All impacts the community on several levels. . . . Fresh-4-All supports the farming community, jobs and the local economy, promotes sustainability and helps meet the growing needs of our community during these economically challenging times."

The county will back Fresh-4-All through grants that help fund both the Maui Food Bank and the Maui County Farm Bureau.

At a news conference at the food bank warehouse Monday morning, Mayor Charmaine Tavares said, "With so many families impacted by the recent layoffs, furloughs and the global economic downturn, it is even more gratifying to work together to meet the needs of those who need the help the most."

"Kaiser Permanente is taking 'Grown on Maui' to an unprecedented level," said Warren Watanabe, executive director of the Maui County Farm Bureau. "For farmers countywide, Fresh-4-All is a huge step forward. It represents a new, stable and very worthy market for our farmers."

With insufficient funds, many in the community must constantly make difficult choices. And when the choice is between rent, utilities, health insurance or food, food is the first to go.

"Fresh produce is too expensive for many low-income households," Yust said. "Many sacrifice proper nutrition for a cost savings eating processed and packaged foods. And no one should have to sacrifice to eat a healthy diet."