Hawai‘i Foodbank is introducing new Mobile Food Pantry trucks — one on O‘ahu and one on Kaua’i — designed to expand access to nutritious food for families and neighbors living in rural and underserved areas across the island.  

“This truly was a labor of love for Hawai‘i Foodbank to get this Mobile Food Pantry on the road,” says Kim Bartenstein, Hawai‘i Foodbank director of agency relations. “We know that 1 in 3 households and 1 in 3 keiki are food insecure, and we know that this truck — this beautiful grocery store on wheels — is going to bring so much impact into the community.” 

Kim adds, “The truck will bring fresh, nutritious proteins, produce, dairy, bread and other foods to places where people don’t have access to that. They don’t have a means of transportation, a food distribution in their area, or a grocery store close to them. This will allow us to help fill those gaps and continue to strengthen our community and make sure people are truly getting what they need.”  

Each fully equipped, 16-foot refrigerated vehicle functions as mobile grocery-style food pantry, visiting sites around the island on a regular schedule — allowing visitors to select the food that best meets their needs. The vehicles are also generator-powered and self-sufficient, giving Hawai‘i Foodbank the ability to quickly bring food assistance into the community during disasters and other emergencies.

The Mobile Food Pantries were made possible through Grant-in-Aid funding from the State of Hawai‘i, along with the generosity of local donors, volunteers and hunger-relief partners committed to ending hunger in Hawai‘i. 

“This project has taken us three years to get off the ground, so we’re really happy to get these trucks out into the community to serve our neighbors,” says Marielle Terbio, Hawai‘i Foodbank vice president of strategy and programs.  

“Food insecurity across Hawai‘i is a complex issue, and it is important we understand the challenges uniquely faced by our local families, neighbors and communities,” says Hawai‘i Foodbank President and CEO Amy Miller. “Most immediately, this new Mobile Food Pantry allows us to expand our reach and distribute more nutritious food to areas of need. But in addition to that, it’s a powerful example of our community coming together to create solutions that are centered on dignity, health and choice.”