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From: Diane Marshall
Sent: Tuesday, June 3, 2025 1:23 PM
To: Council Testimony
Subject: Support for The Food Basket and Its Kokua Harvest Program
Aloha,
My name is Diane Marshall, and I am a donor and supporter of The Food Basket's Kokua Harvest Program, which is an
essential part of our island's vital food security network.
In recent conversations with friends in CERT (Community Emergency Response Training), which advocates being
prepared for disasters by stocking at least two weeks of food and water. I asked the question, "How can a family be
prepared if they cannot afford to feed themselves?" Programs like Malama Da Farmer, Resilience Hub Food Distribution,
and Kokua Harvest are the backbone of local food access on our island. They not only feed our kupuna, keiki, and
working families, they strengthen our farmers, reduce waste, and build community resilience.
I would like to express my strong support for adding a "Food Security" line item to the Department of Research and
Development's Agricultural Contractual Services budget, with an initial allocation of $2 million.
With the anticipated Federal and State funding cuts, we cannot afford to let these programs falter. A dedicated county
funding stream will help us continue to grow, harvest, and share local food, right here at home.
Please prioritize food security in this year's budget. Our island's well-being depends on it.
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Mahalo for your time and service to our island.
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Sincerely,
Diane Marshall
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Papaaloa, HI
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East Hawai'i Master Gardener, former CERT member, donor to The Food Basket
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