Food Basket, the Food Bank of Hawai’i Island, continues its mission to end hunger and fight chronic health conditions on the Big Island, despite navigating a “perfect storm” of food system challenges. One of her most recent initiatives is putting nutrition education directly into the hands of keiki.
Food Basket, through its DA BUX program, is sponsoring the production of a children’s activity book series, “Kai and Hōkū Discover Hawai’i Cuisine,” to encourage families to explore more local foods together. The series will be presented to families in the Kea’au area, including those with students at Kea’au Elementary School and Mountain View Elementary School, during an event from 5:30-6:30 pm Wednesday in the cafeteria of Kea’au. Secondary.
The event sponsored by the Hawai’i Department of Education will include a free distribution of the most recent book in the series, “Kai and Hōkū Explore Hawai’i Foods in the Hoʻoilo Rainy Season.”
“Nutrition education for our keiki is an important service of the DA BUX program,” said The Food Basket Executive Director Kristin Frost Albrecht. “Our goal is to increase DA BUX participation and ultimately address dire public health issues in the state through nutrition.”
The book series is the brainchild of DA BUX staff in collaboration with authors Tiana Kamen, creator of online educational resources for Farm to Keiki.org, and Koh Ming Wei, executive director of the Center for Startups. Their second book, “Kai and Hōkū Explore Hawai’i Cuisine in the Ho’oilo Rainy Season,” was released Oct. 15 and offers hands-on learning activities and easy recipes for young food explorers.
With funding support from the Startup Center and the Waiwai County Grants-in-Aid program of Hawai’i, 2,500 copies of the second book in the series are being distributed free of charge to early childhood providers and schools of the Department of Education Hawaii. on the Big Island this season. Free copies are also available to download here.
DA BUX Double Up Food Bucks works statewide at more than 100 authorized stores, including grocery stores, farmers markets and food hubs. This program offers Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Shoppers a 50% discount on Hawai’i-produced products, allowing families to make better choices while on a budget.
For more information about The Food Basket and its programs or to make a donation to help the food bank fill its shelves, click here.
