Imagine being able to pluck fresh produce for a delicious dinner from a bountiful garden instead of picking over fruits and vegetables shipped from halfway around the world at the grocery store. If one citizen-based group has its way, this would be the primary method of supplying the island's residents with food.

The Kaua'i Food Industry Forum, which promotes sustainable and local agriculture, met yesterday to discuss the implementation of community gardens in various districts around the island. The forum is a community-based group comprised of individuals, food-related organizations and other agencies interested in the need for food self-sufficiency.

"What we're trying to do is provide training and technical assistance," Glenn Hontz, forum chair, said.

The forum has been active for three years, with the community gardens project still in the early planning stages.

"(The forum) is making the public aware of the increasing need for food production on this island," Hontz said.

One of the main goals of the group is to bring food production on Kaua'i to a higher level. According to Hontz, high oil prices are causing agriculture as a whole to shift to more labor-intensive farming, creating more organic food.

"Imported food will become more expensive, and organic food will be less expensive," Hontz said.

Full Story: http://www.kauaiworld.com/articles/2008/01/13/news/news02.txt%3E