Let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there. How did your company get started and why?

Producing 100% locally sourced and processed baby food, Punahele Provisions supports the local community through their dedication to Hawaiian agriculture and their all-natural food options for “everyone from hungry babies to adventurous adults.” “I was looking for ways to decrease Hawaii’s dependence on imported foods and help bolster our local food system to encourage future generations and to take care of the land,” explained owner Ethan West, who noticed a need for safer and healthier baby food after his niece and nephew were born and he noticed the toxic chemicals in traditional baby food. “Our mission is to create the best baby food in the world and to bring it to the world by sourcing sustainably, processing minimally, and presenting transparently.”

What is your product and how would you describe it?

We are Hawaii’s baby food, made from all-natural, whole ingredients and superfoods grown on the Hawaiian Islands. We founded Punahele Provisions with one goal in mind: to provide the absolute best food to growing babies in Hawaii and beyond. At the core of each Punahele Provisions recipe is one or more voyaging superfoods lovingly grown in Hawaii. These superfoods have a storied history of feeding the people of Hawaii and are especially rich in nutrients and antioxidants that help babies develop healthy immune and digestive systems. At Punahele Provisions we only use whole fruits and vegetables in our recipes. What you see listed on every pouch is what you get — no applesauce bases, artificial flavors, genetic modifiers or synthetic preservatives for long-term shelf stability. Just honest-to-goodness food straight from Hawaii.

How have you pivoted your business this year?

Absolutely. We’ve brought food security and economy back to Hawaii and have been able to shift our processing from the mainland to being 100% in Hawaii.

What is your next challenge to overcome?

In 2021 we’re looking to undergo a fundraising round to hire on key personnel, undergo product development and expand our products statewide and nationally.

What do you predict for the food industry over the rest of the year?

The food industry over the rest of the year is going to continue shifting towards regenerative agriculture and decentralized processing with an increased focus on ancestral ingredients.

Learn more at: Punahele Provisions