The American Heart Association and Hawaiian Airlines are supporting food access organizations in Hawaii by hosting a food drive this week until Monday, Jan. 30.
According to AHA, those who face food insecurity are at a higher risk for chronic conditions due in part to the consumption of foods that are high in calories and low in nutrients.
Hawaii’s statewide network of food banks are prioritizing programs and initiatives to provide healthier food options to the communities they serve.
The food drive is a part of AHA’s Heart of Hawaii campaign, a year-round health effort culminating at its annual Heart Ball.
Hawaiian Airlines is supporting the healthy food drive and serves as an example for other companies to host their own drives, according to an AHA press release.
Healthy foods collected during the food drive should follow AHA’s nutritional recommendations, including foods that are low in saturated fat, low sodium and have no added sugar.
These foods are the highest in nutrition and contribute the nutrients that are most beneficial in avoiding the development of chronic diseases like heart disease and stroke, according to AHA.
Some examples of healthy foods include, unsalted nuts, dried or no-sodium beans, water, powdered milk, whole wheat pasta, whole grain cereals, natural granola bars, brown rice, and canned vegetables with no added sodium, soups with low or no sodium.
On the Big Island, items for the food drive can be donated at The Hawaii Food Basket locations at 40 Holomua St. in Hilo and at 73-4161 Ulu Wine Place in Kailua-Kona.
To learn more about engaging in the Heart of Hawaii campaign by hosting a healthy food drive, or to learn more about the Heart Ball, visit ahahonolulu.ejoinme.org, or contact Jady Ojiri at jady.ojiri@heart.org.
To donate to the American Heart Association, visit heart.org/donate. The website also provides a healthy food donations guidance document.