Food Policy Summits

This past week, teams on Oahu and Maui held food policy summits for their respective communities. What an amazing adventure it was!

L-R: Peggy Mierzwa - Blue Zones Project Statewide Policy Lead, Colin Cureton, and Maggi Adamek

On Oahu, Maggi Adamek and Colin Cureton embarked on a whirlwind journey around the island and our Blue Zones Project^® communities located there. Maggi and Colin facilitated the Oahu Summit, where the Manoa-Makiki-McCully-Moiliili (4M), Kapolei-Ewa, Koolaupoko and Wahiawa communities came together for a day of information, brainstorming and planning.

Oahu Food Policy Summit attendees

First, they presented the findings from their research and the Discovery report they authored. Then they moved the group into a facilitated discussion where the attendees worked in designated community groups to identify marquee projects. A marquee project is a locally based community project that will be a model for healthy food access, generate lasting change through applying evidence-based best practices and inspire people to work together to continue to further change. Once community projects were identified, the working groups began working across community lines to identify a set of policies to address at a county and state level. 

Oahu Food Policy Summit presentation

The food journey continued on Maui, where Maggi got to inventory the foodscape. The following morning, Maggi facilitated the food policy summit in Central Maui. Similar to the Oahu summit, small groups brainstormed marquee projects for the community as well as key policies to address.

Central Maui Food Policy Summit attendees

The enthusiasm, feedback and energy by all attendees was amazing, new connections were made and amazing ideas were generated. Many attendees have already made a commitment and are excited to begin the work of advancing healthy food systems!

Mahalo to everyone who attended and participated in these food policy summits! Stay tuned for more updates as this exciting work begins.

Join the Well-Being Movement!

Email our team to learn more about our policy work.
Check out all participating organizations.

Sign up to receive community updates!
Learn more at hawaii.bluezonesproject.com