5 ways Hawaiʻi counties can help address food insecurity

A new policy brief from Hawaiʻi Appleseed Center for Law & Economic Justice highlights how Hawaiʻi’s four counties can continue to step up to combat food insecurity statewide as federal nutrition programs face funding cuts.

Data in the brief showed that food insecurity was reported by 43 percent of households on Hawaiʻi Island, 41 percent in Maui County, 32 percent on Kauaʻi, and 25 percent on Oʻahu.

The brief also mentions that county action is not a solo effort, but in coordination with state and federal programs.

Genevieve Mumma, food policy analyst at Hawaiʻi Appleseed, told Aloha State Daily, “It is very important that while the counties are doing everything they can to improve food security on our Islands, that statewide support through funding of similar and supportive programs continue, while continuing awareness of federal dollars that can be utilized by the counties and state.”