Kaʻū News Briefs, Monday, Nov. 13, 2022

Kaʻū Coffee farmer Berta Miranda shares the story of building her family business as Taiwan buyers listen during a trade mission to Kaʻū and other coffee growing regions. Photo by Julia Neal

A TRADE MISSION FROM TAIWAN recently visited Kaʻū. Hawai'i Coffee Association reported on Monday that Synergistic Hawai'i Agriculture Council representatives hosted a group of coffee buyers, roasters, and company executives from Taiwan who visited coffee farms and venues in Ka'u, Kona and Hilo, as well as Honolulu.
    Among those who met with Kaʻū Coffee Farmers at Pahala Plantation House and visited Kaʻū Coffee Mill and area farms was Alex C. Lei, Executive Director for the State of Hawai'i Office in the Taipei World Trade Center. Lei has worked in Taiwan on behalf of this state for more than two decades, helping to foster trade.

Alex Lei led a mission to Kaʻū to promote the buying of local coffee. Photo by Julia Neal

    Also from Taiwan were representatives of some of the country's, largest coffee buyers, roasters, wholesalers, retailers and owners of chains of coffee shops. Among the manufacturers is the Mr. Brown brand, which is sold in cans and found in stores in Kaʻū. Also represented were high-end coffee sellers who said the Taiwan market has matured for expensive coffees like those produced in Kaʻū.

Buyers from Taiwan recently visited Kaʻū and other coffee regions in a trade mission sponsored by state and federal agencies. Photo from Hawai'i Coffee Association

Soft skinned fruits will be made into a puree to sell, in order to reduce food waste and help small farmers. Photo from Olohana Foundation

    "The purpose of this project is to address these twin challenges of lack of food processing capacity for local crops, and increasing profits for small farmers through adding value to local crops.               "The Olohana Foundation recently acquired legacy industrial juicing equipment which we wish to put into operation once again, providing a valuable option to local farmers for adding value to their tropical fruit crops and reducing on-farm food waste. In collaboration with local fruit producers, this project will pilot the production of two new local value-added fruit products utilizing food processing equipment.        "These final food products will be routed directly into the local food system via the Food Basket: Hawai’i Island’s food bank, and Hawai’i Farm to Car farmers market. By developing these two new fruit products, this project will be directly growing the mid-tier value chain infrastructure for Hawaiʻi Island and beyond, increasing local capacity for aggregation, processing and distribution. An estimated 33 local fruit producers will benefit from this new market for their crops, including B grade crops, which will help to reduce on-farm food waste. Additionally, this project will reach an estimated 452 local consumers, providing an affordable, local and healthy food option."