LIHU‘E — Does your ZIP code start with 967?
Hint: The entire island of Kaua‘i does.
If so, that qualifies you for a new, statewide, keiki feeding program made available by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Summer School Food Service, Hawai‘i Child Nutrition Program and a dedicated team of statewide food access coordinators.
Kaukau4Keiki will provide a weekly meal kit of breakfast and lunch items for children 18 and under in rural communities, or on Kaua‘i ZIP codes that start with 967. The meal boxes are also available to people with disabilities up to the age of 22 who participate in school programs for people who are mentally or physically disabled. Kaukau4Keiki launches this month.
“This is a great opportunity to implement a farm-to-school model during the summer months to support our families and food producers,” said Malama Kaua‘i Executive Director Megan Fox, who leads the Kaua‘i program.
“To see everyone coming together to make this happen for our kids is inspiring — the farmers, ranchers, bakers, nonprofits, government agencies, the foodbank, food-service and shipping companies. It’s so many hands and hearts,” she said.
Kaukau4Keiki kits will differ from island to island, as program hosts are doing their best to support local farmers, ranchers and food producers, states a press release from Malama Kaua‘i. Kaua‘i’s Kaukau4Keiki boxes will include 10 pounds of locally-grown fruits and vegetables, bread and poi, milk and a pound of local cooked beef.
“We don’t usually sell cooked meat, but I have a soft spot for children and helping people in need as well as organizations that put their heart first,” said rancher Waylon Brun of Maluhia Cattle Co. “It’s good to see the government stepping in to help people as well as small businesses and ranchers. This gives me hope that we can all work together to put good, healthy and clean food on the table.”
The Maluhia Cattle Co. and Leong’s Meat House are providing some of the beef for the program.
Registration for the meal kits is now open at kaukau4keiki.org, and families without internet are able to sign up by calling 2-1-1.
Once accepted, Malama Kaua‘i and its network of partner organizations will deliver the weekly boxes to keiki’s homes. An adult is encouraged to sign a delivery receipt.
Due to limited funding for the program, applications will be approved on a first-come, first-served basis. Donations to the program and volunteer inquiries can also be done at kaukau4keiki.org.
Kaukau4Keiki is an option to the state Department of Education’s summer meal program, which has sites at Kapa‘a and Kekaha elementary schools. Families needing information on this program can visit hawaiipublicschools.org for more details.
