Honolulu, HI (September 16, 2010) –Whole Foods Market will be holding weeklong events in support of Kanu Hawai‘i’s second annual Eat Local Challenge, a program aimed to involve island residents in an effort to create more sustainable, local food systems in Hawai‘i. Participants are asked to commit to eating all locally-grown foods for a week from Sunday, September 26 – Saturday, October 2. Whole Foods Market Kahala will help shoppers achieve this goal by providing easy recipes, cooking demonstrations, highlighting all the great local produce available in the store.
“Kanu Hawai‘i’s Eat Local Challenge is an inspiring initiative, which encourages residents to shop for local products,” said Natalie Aczon, Whole Foods Market Kahala marketing supervisor. “Whole Foods Market is committed to supporting Hawai‘i businesses and we stock countless items produced in the islands – from fresh fruits and vegetables to meat.”
Whole Foods Market’s Eat Local Challenge events include: Cooking Demonstration and Sampling with Chef Duke Kenney at Wai‘alae Elementary Public Charter School, September 22, 6 p.m.
As the kickoff to the Eat Local Challenge, Whole Foods Market and Kokua Hawai‘i Foundation’s Actively Integrating Nutrition & Agriculture (‘AINA) in Schools program will feature nine-year-old Chef Duke Kenney along with his father, Chef Ed Kenney, preparing a delicious, locally-sourced meal the whole family can make at home. With fresh ingredients provided by Whole Foods Market Kahala, the exec-kid chef’s creation will be available for sampling. Interested parties can get more information or RSVP to dexter@kokuahawaiifoundation.org.
Green Thumb Challenge, Tuesday, September 28, 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Greg Lee of 1st Look Exteriors – a design company applauded for their “green” pieces that often meld art and local flora – will share his expertise in raising plants and answer home gardening questions at this unique opportunity. Aspiring home gardeners and green-thumbed gardening veterans can also receive an organic herb starter to bring natural aesthetic to the home and flavorful, locally-produced seasoning to their dishes.
Cooking 100 Percent LOCAL Challenge, Thursday, September 30, 4 p.m.
Spectators at the weekly cooking demonstration can join Natalie Aczon, Whole Foods Market K?hala marketing supervisor, as she embarks on a journey to create a recipe with all 100 percent local products. Armed with products from Whole Foods Market shelves, Aczon will design a dish to highlight how shoppers can easily incorporate a variety of Hawai‘i-produced foods into their meals to support local businesses.
Cooking LOCAL Challenge, Friday, October 1, 5 p.m.
Whole Foods Market Kahala will be transformed into a kitchen-stadium as students from Kapi‘olani Community College’s Culinary Institute of the Pacific test their skills against one another in friendly culinary combat for “Battle Local.” Tate Nakano-Edwards, San Shoppell and Kenley Yi – members of the college’s team who brought home a prestigious win at the American Culinary Federation’s national conference in 2009 – will treat spectators to an innovative exhibition of transforming everyday local products into gourmet inspirations. Each competitor will have a scant 20 minutes to create a tasty entrée from a secret basket of ingredients and items from a pantry stocked with 100 percent local ingredients. A team of judges will critique each dish and select winners in best of taste, presentation and creativity categories.
Celebrate Local, Saturday, October 2, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Local farmers – whose produce line the aisles of Whole Foods Market Kahala – will be in-store to share their stories and highlight the fresh foods Hawai‘i families can feature at their tables. Shoppers can spend some time talking story with these entrepreneurs about their challenges to compete with imported sources or ask questions about the production processes used by local farmers.
For additional information on Whole Foods Market Kahala, please visit www.wholefoodsmarket.com/stores/honolulu/ or call (808) 738 ?0820. Whole Foods Market K?hala is also on twitter, www.twitter.com/wfmkahala and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/WholeFoodsKahala with updates on store events and sales.
