Food Banks in Hawaii: Find Free Food Help on Your Island

Food insecurity in Hawaiʻi affects more than 1 in 3 households — a rate higher than most other states and one that has been rising. The high cost of living, especially on Oʻahu and Maui, means that working families, seniors, and individuals frequently struggle to keep food on the table even when employed.

If you need food help in Hawaiʻi, it is available on every island. Food banks, food pantries, produce distributions, senior programs, and child feeding programs operate across Oʻahu, Maui County, Hawaiʻi Island, and Kauaʻi — and most serve everyone who needs help, regardless of income documentation or immigration status.

This guide covers every major food bank in Hawaiʻi, what each island offers, who qualifies, and exactly how to find food near you today.

Food Banks in Hawaii — Quick Answer

Call 211 (free, 24/7) for food resources on your island. Or contact the food bank serving your island directly:

Food Insecurity in Hawaiʻi — What the Numbers Show

Hawaiʻi has one of the highest food insecurity rates in the nation despite being one of the wealthiest states by median income. The gap exists because the cost of living — especially housing — consumes such a large share of household income that food budgets are often the first thing cut.

According to the State of Food Insecurity in Hawaiʻi 2024–2025 report, approximately 427,000 people in Hawaiʻi face food insecurity — roughly 32% of the population. That means nearly 1 in 3 residents struggles to consistently afford enough food.

The four county-level food banks distributed millions of pounds of food in 2024 to address this need, with Maui Food Bank alone distributing over 8 million pounds of food annually.

Who Qualifies for Food Bank Help in Hawaiʻi?

Most food pantries and food distributions in Hawaiʻi serve anyone who shows up and says they need food. There is no formal income test at most partner agency pantries.

For federally funded programs — specifically TEFAP (The Emergency Food Assistance Program) — eligibility requires a total gross household income at or below 300% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. This threshold is generous enough to include a very large portion of Hawaiʻi residents given the state’s high cost of living.

For the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP), which provides monthly food boxes for seniors, eligibility requires being at least 60 years of age with a household income at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.

For general food pantry access and the ʻOhana Produce Plus program run by Hawaiʻi Foodbank, there are no strict eligibility requirements. Anyone facing food insecurity can participate.

Regarding immigration status — Hawaiʻi Foodbank explicitly states that food assistance is available to everyone regardless of documentation status. Using food bank services does not affect immigration cases.

Hawaiʻi Foodbank — Oʻahu and Kauaʻi

Hawaiʻi Foodbank is the largest food assistance organization in the state and a member of the Feeding America national network. It serves Oʻahu and Kauaʻi through a network of more than 250 hunger relief partner agencies.

Address (Oʻahu): 2611 Kilihau Street, Honolulu, HI 96819 Phone (Oʻahu): (808) 836-3600 Address (Kauaʻi Branch): 4241-A Hanahao Place, Lihue, HI 96766 Phone (Kauaʻi): (808) 246-3809 Website: hawaiifoodbank.org Find food near you: hawaiifoodbank.org/get-help/find-food

Programs Offered by Hawaiʻi Foodbank

Food Pantries and Partner Agencies Hawaiʻi Foodbank supplies nearly 200 partner agency locations on Oʻahu alone. These include church pantries, community centers, shelters, and nonprofit organizations that distribute food directly to individuals and families. Use the interactive map at hawaiifoodbank.org/get-help/find-food to find the closest pantry to your neighborhood.

ʻOhana Produce Plus This is one of Hawaiʻi Foodbank’s most impactful programs. ʻOhana Produce Plus provides fresh fruits, vegetables, baked goods, dairy, eggs, cereal, snacks, beverages, and canned foods at no cost to low-income families, people with disabilities, individuals experiencing homelessness, and others with limited access to nutritious food. The program runs at 47 partner agency sites across Oʻahu and Kauaʻi.

Neighbor Connector When you visit participating food distribution sites, you can check in using Neighbor Connector — a free, paperless system that allows you to register once and check in quickly at multiple locations without filling out paperwork each visit. All information is kept private and secure.

SNAP Outreach and Enrollment Assistance Hawaiʻi Foodbank’s SNAP outreach team helps people apply for SNAP benefits and navigate the eligibility, application, and recertification process. If you think you may qualify for SNAP but haven’t applied, ask about SNAP assistance when you visit.

Kaukau 4 Keiki (Summer Meals for Children) This summer meal box program provides grocery boxes to prepare seven days of breakfast and lunch for one child — including shelf-stable fruits and vegetables, proteins, starches, milk, fresh produce, and bread. The program operates at distribution sites across Oʻahu and Kauaʻi during summer months.

Food 4 Keiki School Pantries If your child attends a participating school, the Food 4 Keiki program provides nutrition support to students and their families directly through the school.

Kūpuna Fresh (Senior Produce Program) Kūpuna Fresh provides additional fresh fruits and vegetables to seniors participating in the Senior Food Box Program. Each month, participating seniors receive an 8–9 pound bag of culturally relevant, easy-to-prepare produce including eggplant, sweet potatoes, squash, tomatoes, lettuce, and bananas.

CACFP (Child and Adult Care Food Program) If your child attends a participating child care center, afterschool program, or family child care home — or if you or a family member receives services at a homeless shelter or senior day care center — you may have access to free nutritious meals and snacks through CACFP.

Maui Food Bank — Maui County

Maui Food Bank serves all of Maui County — including the rural communities of Hana, Molokaʻi, and Lānaʻi. It distributes over 8 million pounds of food annually, including 2.3 million pounds of fresh produce, through a network of 124 partner agencies.

Address: 760 Kolu Street, Wailuku, HI 96793 Phone: (808) 243-9500 SNAP Outreach: (808) 201-3937, ext. 14 Website: mauifoodbank.org Find distribution sites: mauifoodbank.org/food-distribution-sites

Programs Offered by Maui Food Bank

Food Pantries and Community Distribution Sites Maui Food Bank operates distribution locations across the island — in Central Maui, West Maui, South Maui, Upcountry, and East Maui. It also serves rural and remote areas including Hana, Keanae, Molokaʻi, and Lānaʻi. Distribution hours and locations vary — use the interactive map at mauifoodbank.org/food-distribution-sites or call (808) 243-9500 to find the site nearest you.

Go Fresh Produce Program Maui Food Bank prioritizes fresh produce distribution across its network, working to ensure families have access to fruits and vegetables — not just shelf-stable staples.

Senior Mobile Pantry A dedicated monthly delivery service for seniors living in Maui County. Wholesome and supplementary food — including fresh produce through the Go Fresh program — is delivered to seniors at convenient drop-off sites each month.

TEFAP Distribution Maui Food Bank is one of four designated Emergency Feeding Organizations in Hawaiʻi that distributes USDA TEFAP commodities. Qualifying residents receive free USDA-provided food through partner distribution sites. Income eligibility: household income at or below 300% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.

Youth and School Programs Maui Food Bank partners with schools and after-school programs to provide nutritious snacks and food to children who need support outside of school meal programs.

SNAP Enrollment Assistance Call (808) 201-3937, ext. 14 to speak with a SNAP Outreach Coordinator at Maui Food Bank. They can help you determine eligibility and walk through the application.

The Food Basket — Hawaiʻi Island (Big Island)

The Food Basket is the food bank serving Hawaiʻi Island — the Big Island. It operates food pantries, soup kitchens, and emergency food distributions at numerous locations across the island, from Hilo to Kona, Ka’u, and Kohala.

Address: 140-B Holomua Street, Hilo, HI 96720 Phone: (808) 933-6030 Website: hawaiifoodbasket.org Find food now: hawaiifoodbasket.org/find-food-now

The Food Basket’s website includes a day-by-day interactive pantry finder — you can search by day of the week and see which pantries and soup kitchens are operating near you and at what times. This is one of the most useful local food locator tools in the state.

Programs Offered by The Food Basket

Food Pantries and Soup Kitchens The Food Basket operates through a wide network of partner pantries and meal sites across Hawaiʻi Island. Pantries operate on varying schedules — some weekly, some twice monthly. Emergency food service (one time per week) is available Monday through Friday, 1 PM to 3 PM at multiple locations for households in immediate need.

TEFAP Distribution The Food Basket is Hawaiʻi County’s designated Emergency Feeding Organization for TEFAP. Free USDA food is distributed to qualifying low-income households through its partner sites.

Agricultural Innovation and Food Security The Food Basket is developing a 24.5-acre agricultural campus in Hilo in partnership with community organizations — a long-term investment in local food production and food security on Hawaiʻi Island.

Federal Food Programs in Hawaiʻi

SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program)

SNAP provides monthly benefits loaded onto an EBT card for use at most grocery stores and many farmers markets. Hawaiʻi’s SNAP program is administered by the Department of Human Services (DHS).

Apply for SNAP: humanservices.hawaii.gov SNAP Outreach: Contact Hawaiʻi Foodbank (Oʻahu/Kauaʻi), Maui Food Bank (Maui County), or The Food Basket (Hawaiʻi Island) for in-person SNAP enrollment assistance.

TEFAP (The Emergency Food Assistance Program)

TEFAP is a federal program providing free USDA-donated food to low-income individuals. In Hawaiʻi, TEFAP is administered through the state’s Office of Community Services and distributed by the four island food banks. Eligibility: household gross income at or below 300% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. Recipients must sign a self-declaration of income certification.

In Federal Fiscal Year 2024, Hawaiʻi received $1,871,334.97 in USDA-donated TEFAP food. For FY 2025, the state is allocated at least $1,363,317 in USDA food.

CSFP (Commodity Supplemental Food Program)

CSFP provides monthly food packages to low-income seniors age 60 and older. Packages include cereal, juice, protein, milk, peanut butter, dry beans, potatoes, grains, cheese, fruit, and vegetables. Eligibility: age 60+, household income at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. Administered by the Office of Community Services.

WIC (Women, Infants, and Children)

WIC provides nutrition benefits and support to pregnant women, new mothers, infants, and children under 5 who are at nutritional risk. To apply for WIC in Hawaiʻi, contact the Hawaiʻi Department of Health at (808) 586-8175 or visit health.hawaii.gov/wic.

How to Find Food Help Near You in Hawaiʻi — Step by Step

Step 1: Dial 211. Free and available 24/7 in Hawaiʻi. Tell the operator you need food assistance and your island or neighborhood. They maintain a live directory of open pantries, meal sites, and distributions near you.

Step 2: Contact your island’s food bank directly. Call the number for your island listed in the Quick Answer table above. Ask about the pantry nearest to your neighborhood and confirm current hours.

Step 3: Use the online pantry finders. For Oʻahu and Kauaʻi: hawaiifoodbank.org/get-help/find-food (includes an interactive map for Oʻahu) For Maui County: mauifoodbank.org/food-distribution-sites For Hawaiʻi Island: hawaiifoodbasket.org/find-food-now (searchable by day of week)

Step 4: Show up. Most pantries are walk-in. Some ask for your zip code to confirm you’re in the service area. Bring a bag or box to carry food. You may be asked to register once using the Neighbor Connector system on Oʻahu and Kauaʻi — it’s free and paperless.

Step 5: Ask about SNAP enrollment. If you’re not currently receiving SNAP, ask the pantry staff whether they have a SNAP outreach coordinator. All four island food banks offer SNAP enrollment assistance.

What to Bring to a Food Pantry in Hawaiʻi

Most pantries require very little. Come with:

A bag or reusable tote to carry food home. Your address or zip code to confirm you live in the service area. A photo ID — optional at most walk-in pantries but helpful. Proof of residency (a piece of mail) — sometimes requested at more formal distribution sites. The number of people in your household — many sites size food boxes by household.

If you have none of these, call the pantry ahead of time or just show up. Walk-in pantries in Hawaiʻi are generally welcoming and focused on getting food to people who need it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a food bank on every island in Hawaiʻi?

Yes. Every island has access to food bank programs. Oʻahu and Kauaʻi are served by Hawaiʻi Foodbank, Maui County (including Molokaʻi and Lānaʻi) is served by Maui Food Bank, and Hawaiʻi Island is served by The Food Basket. Each food bank coordinates partner pantries and distribution sites across its island.

Do I need to show proof of income to get food in Hawaiʻi?

Not at most pantries. Walk-in food pantries and ʻOhana Produce Plus distributions generally serve anyone who needs food. For federally funded TEFAP distributions, you sign a self-declaration of income form — there is no income verification or documentation required. For CSFP (senior food boxes), income documentation may be requested.

Can undocumented immigrants get food from Hawaiʻi food banks?

Yes. Hawaiʻi Foodbank explicitly provides food assistance to everyone regardless of immigration status. Using food bank services is not considered a public benefit under immigration law and does not affect immigration cases. All four island food banks share this policy.

What is ʻOhana Produce Plus?

ʻOhana Produce Plus is a Hawaiʻi Foodbank program that distributes fresh fruits, vegetables, dairy, eggs, baked goods, and pantry staples at no cost to low-income individuals and families across Oʻahu and Kauaʻi. It operates at 47 partner agency locations. Anyone who is low-income, disabled, experiencing homelessness, or has limited access to nutritious food can participate. Find a distribution site at hawaiifoodbank.org/get-help/find-food.

Does Maui Food Bank serve Molokaʻi and Lānaʻi?

Yes. Maui Food Bank serves all of Maui County, including the rural and remote areas of Molokaʻi and Lānaʻi, as well as Hana on East Maui. Some partner agencies specifically serve these areas — call (808) 243-9500 to ask about distribution sites on your island or in your community.

How do I apply for SNAP in Hawaiʻi?

Apply online through the Hawaiʻi Department of Human Services at humanservices.hawaii.gov. You can also get in-person SNAP enrollment help at any of the four island food banks — this is especially useful if you’re unsure about eligibility or need help with the application. SNAP benefits are loaded monthly onto an EBT card for use at most grocery stores.

Is there emergency food help available today in Hawaiʻi?

Yes. Dial 211 to find the nearest same-day food resource. On Hawaiʻi Island, The Food Basket offers emergency food service Monday through Friday, 1 PM to 3 PM at multiple locations — one visit per week per household. On Oʻahu, many partner pantries operate on walk-in bases throughout the week. Call your island’s food bank to confirm what’s available today.

What is the Neighbor Connector system?

Neighbor Connector is a free, paperless check-in system used at participating food distribution sites on Oʻahu and Kauaʻi. You register once and then check in quickly at any participating location without repeating paperwork. It’s part of the Feeding America Service Insights network. All information you provide is kept private and secure. It is not required at every site — many pantries still operate with paper or no formal check-in.

Final Thoughts

Food insecurity in Hawaiʻi is real — and it affects more families than most people realize. With roughly 1 in 3 residents struggling to consistently afford food, the need stretches far beyond what most people think of when they picture who uses a food bank.

If you need food help on any island, the resources are there. Start with a call to 211, reach out to your island’s food bank directly, or walk into the nearest pantry during distribution hours.

You don’t need to be in a crisis. You don’t need to have paperwork. You just need to show up.

Oʻahu / Kauaʻi: Hawaiʻi Foodbank — (808) 836-3600 | hawaiifoodbank.org Maui County: Maui Food Bank — (808) 243-9500 | mauifoodbank.org Hawaiʻi Island: The Food Basket — (808) 933-6030 | hawaiifoodbasket.org All islands: Dial 211

Last Updated: 2026 | Sources: Hawaiʻi Foodbank (hawaiifoodbank.org), Maui Food Bank (mauifoodbank.org), The Food Basket (hawaiifoodbasket.org), Hawaiʻi Department of Human Services (humanservices.hawaii.gov), Hawaiʻi Office of Community Services — TEFAP and CSFP program data, State of Food Insecurity in Hawaiʻi 2024–2025 Report

Program hours, distribution sites, and eligibility details change frequently. Always call ahead or dial 211 to confirm current availability on your island.