Luxurious lychee, glorious guava, delectable dragon fruit… Nothing says paradise quite like locally grown fruit. Fortunately, when you live in Kona you don’t have to travel far to get your fix of fresh treats.
Check out the best Big Island farmers markets, where you can find Hawaii’s most delicious fruit and veg.
The Pure Kona Green Market
If you’re looking for food that benefits personal and planetary health, look no further than the Pure Kona Green Market. Formerly known as the South Kona Green Market, this open air market celebrates sustainability and community.
The market features artists and farmers, all of whom are local to the Big Island. Most vendors hail from Kona and Ka’u, but a few come over from Hilo and Hamakua.
Grab your fresh veggies and vegan baked goods. Or treat yourself to handcrafted jewelry, artisanal wood crafts, and other specialty gifts.
The market takes place at the Amy B. H. Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden, so it’s a perfect opportunity to view over 200 native plant species.
When: Sundays from 9am to 2pm
Where: 92-6160 Mamalahoa Highway in Captain Cook
Kona Village Farmers Market
Kona’s climate promotes highly productive farming soil, and this farmers market is an excellent opportunity to take advantage of that abundance. It doesn’t get much fresher than buying produce directly from the farmer.
Open five days a week, the Kona Village Farmers Market is the perfect place to shop for everyday staples as well as exotic treats.
Grab some Kona coffee and enjoy live music while you shop.
When: Wednesdays through Sundays, 7am to 4pm daily
Where: Corner of Alii Drive and Hualalai Road
Keauhou Farmers Market
The Kona County Farm Bureau manages this market, located in the Keauhou Shopping Center.
Here you’ll find 100% local food by Big Island farmers, ranchers, bakers, and more.
Truly, this market has it all: Kona-origin chocolates, gourmet mushrooms, luxury dog treats, eggs from free-roaming chickens, grass fed beef, hydroponic produce, and freshly caught fish.
Whatever your culinary needs, if you’re looking for high-quality ingredients, the Keauhou Farmers Market is the place to shop. Plus, the market often hosts live music and other community events.
When: Saturdays from 8am to Noon
Where: 76-6831 Alii Drive
South Kona Fruit Stand
Okay, this one’s technically not a farmers market. But it’s too good not to include.
At the South Kona Fruit Stand you can buy rare and exotic fruit as well as super slurpable smoothies. Their sitting area overlooks the ocean, so why not stop for a healthy snack?
Fun fact – this fruit stand holds the Guinness World Record for World’s Biggest Soursop.
When: Mondays 9am to 5pm, Closed Tuesdays, Wednesdays through Fridays 9am to 5pm, Saturdays and Sundays 10am to 4pm
Where: 84-4770 Mamalahoa Highway (between mile markers 103 & 104)
Shop Local
Once you’ve filled up your reusable bags, you’ll need somewhere to prepare all these tasty goods. But even the most exclusive hotels are nothing compared to cooking in your own kitchen.
So why not shop local? Contact me to find your future Big Island home.
Aloha, and welcome to Hawaii.