A new farmers market that opened in the Kmart parking lot in Kailua-Kona at the end of November is offering area shoppers another midweek opportunity to buy locally produced fruits, vegetables and foods.
The Kona Sunset Farmers Market is strategically located on Kamakaeha Avenue to take advantage of heavy traffic flow on Queen Kaahumanu Highway and Henry Street, both of which are in the vicinity of the market. Eighteen vendors will offer everything from produce to beef, fresh fish and coffee.
The market is full and a waiting list for vendors is being created, said Zarine Dorabji, who also manages the Kona County Farm Bureau farmers market on Saturday mornings in Keauhou. More vendors might be added to the market in the future, she said. The new market is open 2 p.m. until dark.
Don McNabb of Tai Shan Farm in Captain Cook welcomed the opportunity to market his dragonfruit and other products on the north end of town.
“It gives us the ability to make Wednesday a really big day, as we are already in town for the (morning) market at the Sheraton Kona Resort &Spa at Keauhou Bay,” McNabb said. “Two markets and only one trip to town.”
The vendors represent what West Hawaii agriculture tends to be all about: smaller businesses, many of them family operated and offering value-added products. The market gives preference to vendors who source their ingredients locally, Dorabji said.
While there are other markets and fairs that offer local goods throughout the week, many producers needed an additional midweek venue to sell their products, she said.
“I decided to start this market after observing a real customer and producer need for an in-town farmers market where people could grocery shop midweek, and where the North Kona population could have convenient access to fresh, locally grown and made foods,” Dorabji said.
Launched the day before Thanksgiving, the market celebrated opening day with a fall harvest theme — pumpkin breads and cakes, pumpkin spice gelato, pumpkin butternut squash lasagna and other wares related to the season.
The market is designed to promote local food and agricultural businesses that protect and care for the island’s resources, Dorabji said. Family friendly, food-centered educational events also are in the making — including demonstrations on cooking local foods, recipe contests and tasting events.
Derek Shapiro of Sunshower Farms in Holualoa sold salad mixes, microgreen growing kits and baked goods on opening day.
“You get a lot of traffic here in the Kmart parking lot and it’s not too far off the highway,” Shapiro said. “It gives people a little more access. I think it’s going to be a good market.”
Doug Pittman of Kona Hawk Farm in Milolii echoed the approval of the midweek opportunity. Pittman also sells his macadamia nuts, fruits and baked goods at the Keauhou market Saturday.
“It gives me two to three days to prep for a market instead of doing a Saturday-Sunday,” he said.
Market customers are able to earn loyalty points based on how often they visit the market, unlike many retailers that base rewards on how much is purchased. Customers can check in by scanning the market’s iPad with their smartphone, Dorabji said.
The market also accepts EBT cards.
Email Bret Yager at byager@westhawaiitoday.com.
