MEDIA RELEASE

Thanks to strong community support, the Big Island Fish Farmers Market will continue to offer fresh fish and seafood from island aquaculture farms on the last Friday of the month at the NELHA Gateway Center.

Continued sponsorship from the county Department of Research and Development ensures that the market continues through the summer months. The non-profit organization Friends of NELHA has been producing the markets to support the innovative, sustainable aquaculture companies operating at the Natural Energy Lab of Hawaii (NELHA).

The next market is scheduled for 2-6 p.m. Friday, July 30.

The market has proven to be a popular festive and educational event, with cooking demonstrations by Chef Olelo paa Faith Ogawa, and information on the various sustainable aquaculture operations and alternative energy projects hosted at the NELHA compound, one mile south of Kona Airport.

At the July 30 market, Chris Smith of Coastview Aquaponics will give two presentations on growing your own food with an aquaponic system, which is a combination of aquaculture (growing fish) and hydroponics (growing plants without soil).

Residents and island visitors have flocked to the market for affordable deals on sustainable, locally farmed fish and seafood such as Kona Cold Lobster and Dungeness crab, Big Island Abalone, Kona Kea Shrimp, sturgeon, tilapia and catfish. Other products from NELHA tenants, such as Kona Sea Salt, BioAstin and Spirulina Pacifica, are also available.

A growing list of island-grown specialty products also featured at the market include Roy’s Hydroponic Produce, Coastview Aquaponics’ live lettuce, chard and herbs, Lyman Kona Coffee, Hawaiian Red Veal and sausages from Island Thyme Gourmet, artisan bread from Palani French Bakers, tomatoes from Hawaiian B Natural Farms, Ahualoa Farms’ macadamia nuts, and more.

For information on the market, including booth rental, contact Guy Toyama at guy@energyfuturehawaii.org, or 938-1017; or Kelly Coleman at kcoleman@hawaii.rr.com, or 962-6357.