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- calendar_today October 28, 2026
Big Island Schools Embrace Local Beef in Lunch Programs
Public schools across the Big Island have taken a significant step in promoting local food by incorporating more local beef into their lunch programs. Thanks to a partnership with Parker Ranch, students throughout Kohala, Waikoloa, Waimea, the Hamakua Coast, and Hilo are now enjoying dishes prepared with beef raised on the island.
A Wide Range of Familiar Favorites
The partnership allows cafeterias to serve familiar favorites such as paniolo pasta, sloppy joe, chili, hamburger stew, and chili cheese nachos. These meals feature beef provided by Parker Ranch, one of the largest and oldest cattle ranches in the Hawaiian Islands. According to the Hawai‘i State Department of Education, nearly 8,000 pounds of beef from Parker Ranch have been served in Big Island school lunches since the collaboration began.
Student Reactions and Community Connection
Students at Waimea Elementary School have responded positively to the introduction of grass fed beef in their meals. Fourth-grader Akea Ala shared, “The pasta is great, it’s local, that’s what I love about it. It’s better and more fresh.” His classmate Theo Smith added, “It tastes better because I know it’s not processed, and I can taste that it’s not processed meat.”
Ilaiʻasi Tua, Waimea Elementary’s Food Services Manager, has noticed changes in the cafeteria since making the switch. “It’s a really big difference from the mainland beef to this grass-fed beef, the kids really love it,” Tua said. “Just being from a farm to this table, being right here in Waimea, I feel like it’s a good thing for the DOE schools.”
Supporting Food Security and Food Sovereignty
The initiative is part of broader efforts to address food security and food sovereignty in Hawaii. “Food security and food sovereignty are such a big part of the conversation right now. We’re trying to be part of that by creating partnerships with institutions and large distributors to help ensure local people have access to local food,” said Tavares, a spokesperson involved in the program.
By utilizing local food sources like Parker Ranch, the Hawaii Department of Education aims to further engage students and families with locally grown foods and to strengthen the state’s agricultural networks.
Looking to the Future: Expansion to Other Islands
Building on success on the Big Island, the Hawaii Department of Education hopes to develop and expand similar partnerships across other islands, including Maui and Kauai. These efforts reflect a growing movement to support Hawaiian agriculture and ensure that students benefit from fresh, local ingredients in their daily meals.
Conclusion
The partnership between Big Island public schools and Parker Ranch demonstrates a successful approach to integrating local beef and supporting goals of food sovereignty and food security. As schools serve thousands of pounds of locally sourced beef, students and educators alike are seeing positive changes in meal quality, taste, and community connection.
Source: khon2.com.
