Farmers’ Markets in Hawaiʻi
Farmers' Markets like these are becoming increasingly popular in Hawaiʻi.
I recently had the chance to visit the Kapi’olani Community College Farmers’ Market, a weekly event that takes place every Saturday in the large parking lot of KCC. From the moment I got out of the car, I was hit in the face by the smells of fresh food and the sounds of people. Tons and tons of people.
Thousands of people flock to KCC every Saturday for the weekly Farmers' Market.
Farmers’ markets have been around for years, but they have just recently begun to take off with the locals (as well as the tourists). In fact, the crowds can be somewhat annoying. It’s easy to see, though, why the once-a-week food festivals are so popular.
Vendor upon vendor of ono local grinds line the stalls of the parking lot, with people poring from one to the other. Everything from the freshly grown vegetables of ‘Nalo Farms, to just-outta-da-oven miso butterfish bentos, to taro poke. Yep, you heard me right. Taro poke. (By the way, I gave it a try. After that I immediately bought a container.) The food you’ll find at the farmers’ market varies from week to week, but from the seasoned veterans I’ve heard from, the tip is always the same: COME EARLY! This particular market opened at 7:30am, so you can guarantee all the best food was gone by 8.
Fresh produce from 'Nalo Farms encourages people to eat local.
Pineapples were a big hit with the tourists, selling out fast.
Types of foods ranged from the fairly exotic (such as this Egyptian spot)...
...to the familiar (da local plates, including, of course, kim chi fried rice!)
Taro poke booth. (See, told you)
Even Chef Alan Wong comes down on Saturdays to cook up some ONO burgers.
Possibly the best pizza I've had in a while: Mozzarella cheese and Waialua-picked tomatoes on a nutty basil pesto, all on a warm, crunchy flatbread.
All in all, it’s a good experience that locals all over the world should search for in their towns. Eat healthy, and plenty.
For a list of all the current farmers’ markets in Hawai’i, click here.
E ‘ai kākou! (We go eat!)
