Past
Aloha Harvest was founded by the Hauʻoli Mau Loa Foundation in 1999. The foundation saw the volume of local food waste and a growing population of homeless people – as well as the emergence of food rescue organizations
across the country.
They conducted a feasibility study that considered the unique challenges surrounding food insecurity and waste in Hawaiʻi and engaged in discussions
with potential food donors, recipients, and community leaders.
The outcome was Aloha Harvest.
Hauʻoli Mau Loa based the Aloha Harvest model on City Harvest (New York), a highly successful and internationally replicated food recovery system
developed in 1982.
Present
Aloha Harvest is the largest food rescue and redistribution organization in Hawaiʻi, getting quality excess food into stomachs instead of landfills. Free of charge and free of liability, we pick up quality excess food from donors (ex: wholesale distributors, grocery stores, restaurants, hotels) and redistribute it to recipient agencies feeding the hungry (ex: homeless shelters, social services, food pantries).
In 2024, we worked with 468 food donors and 146 recipient agencies to redistribute over 3 million pounds of good food that would have otherwise been wasted! As we progress through this year, we are determined to meet or increase these numbers as the need continues to rise.
We play a critical role alongside food banks and food pantries in the fight against hunger. Aloha Harvest does not store any food. We pick up perishable and nonperishable surplus food from donors and deliver it the same day (free of charge) to social service agencies, who in turn, prepare and distribute the food to those in need.
We have been doing this work since 1999 and are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
Interactive Map of Current Partners
View Aloha Harvest’s impact all over the island and browse the partners that are helping us to reduce food waste and feed the community! 🚛💙💚
Click the sidebar icon on the top left to toggle views of partners by type and more details.
The map does not include individuals who we also receive food donations from. For example, we accept food donations from people clearing out their home pantries to move off island or from catered events. Individuals are welcome to drop off food donations at our office in Kaimuki or we can arrange to pick it up!
Watch our Harvesting Aloha for 25 Years Video!
Future
- Improve data collection processes to better understand our impact on the health of community members and the environment, and in turn set better goals.
- Assess and improve the quality of food we rescue, including a push for more donors of fresh, local produce to contribute to better health for the individuals we serve.
- Build an expanded, sustainable volunteer force that empowers community members to participate in every day food rescue and farm days to supports our local farmers.
- Increase efforts in education, advocacy, and community engagement with a focus on reducing waste at the consumer level, which is currently 43% nationwide, and on policy advocacy that will extend the capacity and reach of all food rescue programs.