PUHI — Sakda Meephol, a farmer who works land in the Koloa area growing bananas, lettuce, beans, cucumbers and other seasonal crops, is one of the farmers who will be at Puhi Park today from 10 a.m., states the Grove Farm website.
Meephol is one of the many farmers who were displaced following the closure of the county’s Sunshine Markets and the Kaua‘i County Farm Bureau-supported Kaua‘i Community Market at Kaua‘i Community College, as well as the closings of many hotels, restaurants and other businesses in the face of COVID-19.
Puhi Park Produce was created as an alternative for residents to continue to get their locally grown fruits and vegetables while being more sustainable with food.
Aloha Lani Farm, a vendor at the Kaua‘i Community Market, will also be one of the vendors on hand.
“The vegetables keep growing,” said Machiko Yamaguchi of Aloha Lani Farm.
“The okra got really long. We had to cut. I tried to set up at one place, but the police came. I set up at another place and the police came again. They’re chasing me around. I’m glad to be at Puhi Park Produce where I know I won’t be kicked out.”
Grove Farm is offering its Puhi Park at no charge for this win-win opportunity, providing that social-distancing directives (staying at least six feet from others, pointing to what you want to purchase, sanitizing hands, avoid face-touching, and not going if feeling ill) are adhered to and appropriate personal protective equipment (face masks) are used. Cash is the preferred method of payment.
“As our island community deals with the COVID-19 concerns, Grove Farm would like to bring together our island’s farmers and fishermen with the community by offering fresh produce and fish at our Puhi Park Produce site,” states an announcement on the company’s website.
Puhi Park Produce will open at 10 a.m. today for fresh, farmers’ market fare and pre-ordered package pickups in Puhi Park, located behind Kaua‘i Harley Davidson. The PPP is also scheduled for Wednesday afternoon at 2 p.m. until the produce runs out.
Angled parking is available along Puhi Road, and pre-order pick up parking can be done on Kikowaena Street.
Information: Nikki Ige, nige@grovefarm.com, or 801-602-5251, or Sharyl Lam Yuen, slamyuen@grovefarm.com or 639-1546.
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
Source: The Garden Island
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