By PAIGE TAKEYA<\/B><\/I><\/p>\n
Picking up a bag of groceries from the market is an everyday activity. But collected produce from Holoholo General Store is a little bit different.<\/p>\n
The Community Supported Agriculture business works with local farms and vendors to provide a range of fresh local produce to customers – and now it’s being honored for the effort. Holoholo is one of three finalists in the Mahi’ai Match-Up agricultural business plan contest sponsored by Kamehameha Schools and Ka Ali’i Pauahi Foundation. The competition strives to reward business plans that address the need to increase local food production.<\/p>\n
Winners will receive an agricultural lease from Kamehameha Schools, complete with five years of waived rent, as well as cash prizes ranging from $25,000 to $10,000.<\/p>\n
Holoholo joins Kaunamano Farms on Hawaii island and Mapulehu Farms on Molokai as finalists from an initial entry pool of 148. The order of winners will be announced this Saturday during a gala at Dole Cannery.<\/p>\n
Not an ordinary market, Holoholo is unique in that it doesn’t have a static physical location. Customers instead preorder weekly or biweekly Holoholo Bags (which contain anywhere from five to 12 items, depending on size ordered) and are given a variety of vegetables and fruit, along with recipes and tips for healthy eating and living.<\/p>\n
Patrons can add cheese, pasta and other locally sourced food items to their order. Prices range from $25 to $53 per bag, not including any add-ons or fees.<\/p>\n
Holoholo works with area farms, such as Ho Farms, Kahuku Farms, Twin Bridge Farms and Poamoho Organics, and it plans to expand services by adding Da Truck, a mobile marketplace, to its lineup.<\/p>\n