🚀
MISSION:
Our mission is to engage youth in policy and systems change efforts that result in a just and equitable local food system for a healthier Hawai‘i.
🥬
VISION:
We envision a Hawai‘i where youth are engaged and empowered in creating healthy, local food systems that instill a sense of place and purpose in connection with the ‘aina.
Founded in 2019 and launched in February 2020, the Hawai‘i Youth Food Council (HYFC) is a group of motivated students from public, charter, and independent high schools from across the State of Hawai‘i. HYFC is a program of the Hawai‘i Farm to School and Hawai‘i Public Health Institute. Learn about our current members HERE!
Kawika Kahiapo is the coordinator for the Hawaiʻi Youth Food Council. A graduate of Kamehameha Schools, Kawika has dedicated several years to working with youth groups, including two legislative sessions with Hawaiʻi Food+ Policy. He holds a BAS degree in Sustainable Community Food Systems from the University of Hawaiʻi at West Oʻahu. Kawika is eager to bring his extensive knowledge and experience in Hawaiʻi's food systems, the state legislative process, and youth leadership development to HIPHI’s Farm to School Initiative and the Hawaiʻi Youth Food Council (HYFC).
The Coordinator position is funded by USDA's SNAP-Ed Program through the Department of Health. This institution is an Equal Opportunity Provider.
First Lady Mrs. Dawn Amano Ige
Hawai‘i Department of Health, Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion Division
Hawai‘i Department of Education, School Food Services Branch
Kapi‘olani Community College, Culinary Arts Department
O‘ahu Farm to School Network
Hawai‘i Appleseed Center for Law and Economic Justice
Blue Zones Project - Hawai‘i
YMCA of Honolulu
Hawai‘i Youth Food Council is hosted by the Hawai‘i Farm to School, a program of Hawai‘i Public Health Institute.