Auwinala Family Farms is a settler aloha ʻāina-owned farm and community farm network committed to increasing community food security throughout the islands for Hawai’i’s ohana.
What is community food security?
Community food security is a food system that ensures consistent and equitable access to fresh, affordable, and culturally relevant foods, in which all stakeholders – eater, growers, producers, policy makers, etc – are participating in way that fosters community self-reliance, social justice, and consensus decision-making.
Why grow your own food?
90% of the food consumed in Hawai’i is imported (including 70% of seafood!). Hawai’i’s food system is unsustainable, with residents always two weeks’ away from an islands-wide food shortage due to naturally occurring weather events, global pandemics, labor shortages, transportation interruptions, and the political climate of the nations that contribute to the world’s food supply. While it is unreasonable to expect that every household can provide 100% of their food needs, we believe that food security is attainable at some level for everyone.
Agricultural land is cost-prohibitive, making it extremely challenging to increase the number of farmers and ranchers throughout the islands. Because of this, food security must be a community act, and we’re here to facilitate the growth and sustainably of micro-family farms and community gardens.
Growing food doesn’t have to be labor intensive or time consuming. With today’s innovations, anyone can grow a significant amount of fruits and vegetables with just four square feet of space!
We believe you can grow your own food and still have time for the rest of your life, which is why we love the relative ease and simplicity of container gardening and vertical farming. Ready to learn how to grow your own microgreens, sprouts, and or vertical farm? Let’s get started!
Growing food is possible for any budget, environment, and ability.
The goal is not to do it all at once, especially when you’re new to growing food, but to foster self-reliance and increase household food security. You can grow food for yourself and share the surplus with your family, friends, and neighbors. You can use SNAP benefits to purchase seeds and starter plants (but not potting soil and supplies).
Check out the options below to learn how you can set up a home garden that meets your goals and income.
We are an affiliate for the products recommended throughout this site and in our newsletter, which means we may receive a commission on sales made through the links shared, at no additional cost to you.
If you’re interested in getting support with setting up your home garden, please contact us.
Container
Gardening
Start your home garden with microgreens, sprouts and herbs on your countertop and windowsill or venture outside with containers of various sizes for herbs, vegetables, and fruit.
Composting
Vertical Gardening
Grow up to 50 plants in this composting vertical planter on your lanai or in your yard.
Aeroponic
Vertical Gardening
Aeroponics is a system of growing plants without soil or other medium. The roots are sprayed or misted with nutrient-rich water at intervals.
Emergency
Food Supply
Emergency food are single ingredients or whole meals that have been dehydrated and/or freeze-dried. This preservation method can provide a 25-year shelf-life and is vital in times of natural disasters or long periods of food insecurity.
Save 10% with code VSF10 when you purchase seeds or a kit through this link.
