Educational Resources
View and download our resources for farm to school and food service programs including posters, flyers, and recipes.
How to host a Hoʻopili ʻAi Harvest of the Month event!
Use this how to guide to bring local food education to your school community by hosting a successful Ho‘opili ‘Ai Harvest of the Month schoolwide or classroom event!
Traditional Staples vs. Imports:
A Health & Nutritional Analysis
Delve into the nutritional benefits of local staples like breadfruit, taro, pumpkin, and sweet potato
compared to imported starches such as white rice and white potato. Discover how embracing
these traditional options with a low glycemic index can contribute to heart health, balanced
metabolism, and reduced risk of Type 2 Diabetes.
Eat Breadfruit
Breadfruit is not only a versatile and sustainable crop but also a nutrient-dense superfood that can boost your health and well-being. Whether you eat it ripe or unripe, cooked or raw, breadfruit provides a rich source of vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants that can support various aspects of your body and mind. Try it as a substitute for potatoes, rice, or pasta in various dishes, such as stews, curries, salads, and chips. Experiment with ʻulu flour to make sweet and savory dishes such as breadfruit bread, pancakes, and pizza crust. Join us in celebrating the goodness and versatility of breadfruit and discover why it’s a good choice to eat for you and the planet.
Grow Breadfruit
Breadfruit is a tropical tree crop with over 200 cultivars, each with unique characteristics. Traditional farming of ʻulu in Hawaiʻi was done mainly through agroforestry. By learning from indigenous knowledge and practices, we can develop innovative and sustainable farming systems that benefit both people and the planet. Join us in celebrating the richness and potential of breadfruit and explore how you can grow and use this amazing crop in your community.
Why Breadfruit?
Over 99% of Hawaiʻi’s staple foods are imported, including rice, wheat, and corn. By promoting the cultivation, processing, and consumption of breadfruit (ʻulu) in Hawaiʻi, we can not only decrease our reliance on imported foods but also honor the cultural and ecological legacy of this amazing crop. Join us in exploring the potential and challenges of breadfruit as a means for sustainability and discover how you can support and benefit from this movement.
What would you do with ‘ulu in your school cafeteria?
This poster intended for the school food service community demonstrates ʻulu’s culinary versatility with tantalizing images of delicious beef stew, mashed ‘ulu, ‘ulu bread, ‘ulu chips, ʻulu mochi and more. Download the educational poster below and let your creativity soar!
From Our Farms to Your Schools: Get ‘Ono for ‘Ulu! (Poster, March 2018)
Calling all teachers, parents and school staff!
Did you know that, in Hawai‘i, 1/2 cup of ‘ulu counts as one-ounce whole grain equivalent for USDA reimbursable school meals? This poster was created for school staff, teachers, students and families to learn more about breadfruit’s nutritional benefits and our minimally processed, steamed and frozen ‘ulu – including product storage & usage tips. Get to know ʻulu by downloading this poster!
‘Ono for ʻUlu Beef Stew?
Adapted from Hawai‘i State Department of Education’s cafeteria recipe for home use, this flavorful, melt-in-your-mouth ‘Ulu (breadfruit) Beef Stew recipe packs in 26 grams of protein and 6 grams of fiber. This is a recipe to keep and share with family and friends. Download the recipe here and start cooking!
Welcome to Okinawan Sweet Potato 101!
Created for school staff, teachers, students and families, this poster explains the cultural history and nutritional benefits of Okinawan Sweet Potato as well as storage and usage tips for our minimally-processed, steamed and frozen ‘uala (sweet potato). Download the poster below to learn more about this yummy, healthy and bright purple Okinawan Sweet Potato!
Get to Know Okinawan Sweet Potato: ‘Aina Pono Harvest of the Month
A Tasty Purple (Okinawan) Sweet Potato Pie Recipe for your family
This bright purple Okinawan Sweet Potato Pie recipe adapted for families from a cafeteria recipe by Edita Montgomery of Keolu Elementary School is a delicious way to feed healthy antioxidants to your family. Keiki will love to help prepare this fun and colorful dish. Download the recipe poster below and happy baking!
Welcome to Green Papaya 101!
Created for school staff, teachers, students and families, this poster explains the history, local cultural uses and nutritional facts of green papaya, one of the healthiest fruits in the world. Download the educational poster below and get to know green papaya!
Chicken Green Papaya Soup anyone?
Perfect for family meals, this hearty soup incorporates one of the healthiest fruits in the world: green papaya. Containing a natural meat tenderizer, green papaya makes a delicious chicken soup that is high in potassium, Vitamin A and Vitamin C. Download the recipe below to celebrate one of our most nutritious local crops with this easy, ‘ono recipe.
What is mai‘a? Get to know bananas!
Did you know bananas are the world’s largest perennial herb? This poster was created for school staff, teachers, students and families to learn fascinating facts about maiʻa, an important canoe crop with many uses both in the kitchen and on the farm. Download the poster and to get to know maiʻa!
Hungry for banana bread? Try adding breadfruit!
A yummy and healthy treat to bake at home with keiki, this Mai‘a (banana) ‘Ulu (breadfruit) Bread might become your new favorite family recipe! Not only do the two nutritious crops go great together in baked goods, but in traditional Polynesian food forests they can often be found happily growing side by side, like the best of friends. Download the poster to start baking.
