The variety and quantity of Hawaii-grown produce and locally made products available in Oahu's commissaries impressed United States Senator Daniel K. Akaka (D-Hawaii) during a walk-through visit today to the Pearl Harbor Commissary. The U.S. Department of Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) invited Senator Akaka to see firsthand the large selection of local produce and merchandise carried in Oahu's six commissaries–the result of an ongoing effort by DeCA to buy and sell Hawaii products.

Over 80 Hawaii businesses currently do business with the Hawaii Defense Commissary Agency. They represent over 3,400 line items and 22 percent of all sales. Oahu's commissaries have over $168 million in annual sales and serve a military-related population of 278,700.

Senator Akaka embraced this initiative to promote Hawaii agricultural products. Akaka has encouraged DeCA to take advantage of Hawaii's food manufacturers and farm producers. "Hawaii's farmers and processors have a wonderful opportunity to sell both locally and nationally in our commissaries," Senator Akaka noted. "Gaining a foothold in the commissary market could mean significant sales gains for Hawaii products.

"Diversified agriculture is a bright spot in our economy in recent years. Diversified farm receipts rose an average of 5.5 percent annually for the past three years, surpassing the $300 million mark for the first time. Continued strong growth requires new markets and innovative marketing to sustain that growth."

This Hawaii commissary initiative complements a special marketing arrangement championed by Senator Akaka for the Hawaii Food Manufacturers Association, where products of 18 Hawaii food manufacturers are now sold in four West Coast military commissaries: Naval Station San Diego and Camp Pendleton in California, and Fort Lewis and McChord Air Force Base in Washington. The first shipment of local products left the islands in August and reached store shelves on the mainland in September.

Senator Akaka congratulated the Hawaii Defense Commissary Agency for its ongoing efforts to seek out and work with local farmers, suppliers and businesses. "I am impressed with DeCA's active outreach to local companies and producers," Akaka noted. "DeCA is aggressive and creative in working with local farm bureaus and state agricultural officials on all of the islands to promote business opportunities in our commissaries. In turn, commissary customers benefit from an excellent and exciting array of products and farm fresh produce."