A dream long deferred will finally be realized with the opening of the Kaua‘i Community Market at 10 a.m. Saturday at Kaua‘i Community College. The market will run from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays in the parking lot closest
A dream long deferred will finally be realized with the opening of the Kaua‘i Community Market at 10 a.m. Saturday at Kaua‘i Community College. The market will run from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays in the parking lot closest to the entrance near the highway.
“We want to create an atmosphere where people want to hang out, that’s why we include the value-added products, food vendors and the educational booth,” said KCC Chancellor Helen Cox.
For the market’s inauguration there will be culinary demonstrations by Mark Oyama and KCC culinary students and tours of the community garden.
“What makes this market unique is that it brings all the pieces together to support buying and eating local,” said Melissa McFerrin, executive administrator of Kaua‘i County Farm Bureau. “There has been such a strong public interest in supporting agriculture, and this is one of many ways we can do this as a community.”
Based on a seed-to-table model, Kaua‘i Community Market will feature locally grown food products, demonstrations on preparation, value-added products, information on Kaua‘i agriculture and school programs, the press release states.
“I wanted KCC to be the venue for a market because it’s so centrally located and we could make it on the weekend,” Cox said.
The market is envisioned as a central gathering place where neighbors can shop for food and garden, enjoy local foods and learn how to cook and raise local ingredients.
“When people learn how to prepare locally grown food they are more inclined to buy local produce,” said Glen Hontz, director of the Food and Agriculture Career Pathways program. “My motive is to teach people how to increase food production on the island so as not to rely on imports.”
Hontz teaches “Successful Gardening” at the community garden from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays.
“Students learn gardening and how to market what they grow to sell at the Community Market,” Hontz said.
When Cox joined the staff at KCC last year her intent was to have the college actively participating in the community.
“This goes with my whole philosophy,” Cox said. “How do we support the community? Sustainable agriculture is one really important piece of that.”
The goal of the market is three-fold according to Cox: To serve farmers, provide local produce and products to the community and serve as outreach for the college.
“I think people know we are here but don’t necessarily know what we do. This market will give us an opportunity to show what we do,” she said.
For more information on classes call Glenn Hontz, 246-4859.
