039: Maui Food Bank's Pursuit of a Hunger-Free Maui

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From a post-wild fire Lahaina’s market to mobile grocery trucks traveling into underserved areas, the Maui Food Bank is reimagining food assistance for Maui residents. In this episode, Meg welcomes Lisa Paulson, Executive Director of the Maui Food Bank, to explore how their programs are meeting urgent community needs.

You’ll hear how the Food Bank’s unique distribution system — including being the only food bank in the United States to transport food by boat — has scaled rapidly since the fires, and how they’ve innovated with summer food programs, school partnerships, and direct support for seniors. Lisa also shares insights into the organization’s partnerships with the American Red Cross, local farmers, and hundreds of volunteers that make this work possible.

Whether you’re curious about the behind-the-scenes logistics of feeding thousands daily, or you want to know how you can get involved through volunteering, food drives, or donations, this episode highlights the extraordinary impact of community collaboration on Maui.

In this episode, you will hear:

• How does the Lahaina market give families a dignified way to shop after the fires
• What role do the mobile market trucks play in reaching underserved areas
• How are children supported through summer programs and school snack initiatives
• Why is the Maui Food Bank the only one in the country transporting food by boat
• What impact did the wildfires have on food demand and purchasing needs
• How can volunteers and donors best support the Maui Food Bank’s mission

Resources from this Episode

Guest's Website - https://mauifoodbank.org/

Guest's Office Number: [phone]

For rapid food distributions: You may call 211.

Guest's Email Address: [email protected]

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Episode Credits

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