Pacific Farmer Organizations welcomes Hawaiʻi ʻUlu Cooperative

The Hawaiʻi Ulu Cooperative is the first Hawaiʻi based farmer organization to join the Pacific Island Farmers Organization Network since the opening of its US office late last year.

“I am delighted to announce that our board of directors approved the Hawaiʻi Ulu Cooperative as a Farmer organization member from the island of Hawaiʻi and we welcome them to the family,” said Kyle Stice, executive director of Pacific Island Farmers Organisation Network.

Hawaiʻi ʻUlu Cooperative is a farmer-owned business working to revitalize ‘ulu (breadfruit) as a viable crop and dietary staple by empowering farmers as change-makers in Hawaiʻi’s food system.

The Cooperative was formed in 2016 with 9 small, diversified growers on Hawaiʻi island and has grown to over 125 member-farms on three islands – Hawaiʻi Island, Maui and Oʻahu – and is now the foremost breadfruit farmer organization in Hawaiʻi.

“We couldn’t be more excited to join PIFON and start working more closely with its members from around the Pacific. This community of farmer organizations is vital for knowledge sharing, advocacy and strengthening the viability of smallholder, family farms in our region. We are honored to be PIFON’s first Hawaiʻi member and look forward to many collaborations to come!” said Dana Shapiro, general manager of the Hawaiʻi ʻUlu Cooperative.

The Pacific Farmer Organisations currently serve 25 farmer organizations across 12 Pacific Island countries reaching over 80,000 members in addition to 5 associate members.

The addition of the Hawaiʻi ʻUlu Cooperative is expected to further enrich the opportunities for learning and collaboration between Pacific Farmer Organisations particularly around important technical areas such as breadfruit production, processing and marketing.