Common Ground Collective

Many Know the Island of Maui as a Beautiful Vacation Destination, Yet Few Understand the Challenges the Food System Faces Being Located in the Middle of the Pacific Ocean. With 90 of the States Food Supply Imported From Overseas, the Islands Are Extremely Vulnerable to Food Shortages. the Need for a Sustainable Food System Infrastructure Is Critical to the Successful Future of Hawaii. Despite the Unique Challenges That This Region Faces, Common Ground Collective(cgc) and Its Partners Are Working to Create Food Security and Economic Opportunity on Maui. Through Field Work and Research, CGC Has Discovered That Maui Has a Significant Amount of Agricultural Zoned Lands That Are Vastly Underutilized, Allowing for the Creation of a New Backyard to Market Supply Chain That Could Drastically Increase the Amount of Food Provided to Maui Residents. CGC Recognizes the Benefits and Necessity of Building Strong Network Connections to Support Positive Market Growth in the Agricultural Sector and Strengthen the Community. With This Project, CGC and Partnering Organizations Will Decrease Mauis Reliance on Imported Goods by Adding More Than 50,000 Pounds of Produce to the Local Food System, Support Local Agricultural Producers by Providing Distribution Assistance and Financial Opportunities to New Local Growers, and Expand the Capacity of Local Food Businesses to Contribute to the Regional Food System and Those in Need. a Working Model of the Project Will Be Shared With Other Rural Communities as This Project Paves the Way for a More Sustainable Food System and Thriving Global Economy.