The Locavore Store
Mokupuni: Hawai‘i | Moku: Hilo | Ahupua’a: Waiākea
Year Established: 2010
Favorite Staple Crop to Work With: Kalo
Walk into The Locavore Store in Hilo and you’ll quickly realize: this isn’t your average grocery run. Every item on the shelf—whether it’s vibrant produce, meats, cheese, skincare, or pantry staples—has one thing in common: it’s made in Hawai‘i. Locally grown, harvested, crafted, and cooked, The Locavore Store offers a rare kind of integrity in today’s food system, where even the body butter or greeting card you buy helps support a local farm or artist.
Founded by Arthur Dodge and Catarina Zaragoza in 2010, The Locavore Store began just like Hawai‘i ‘Ulu Cooperative did, with a shared need to connect small-scale farmers to a wider market. What started as a farmers market stand soon evolved into a community-driven storefront, first in Pāhoa, and now in a spacious new location in Hilo with a certified kitchen and eight staff. Today, they work with over 200 local vendors and process more than 100 deliveries every week, making them one of the strongest local supply chain champions on Hawai‘i Island.
The new Hilo location, conveniently located next to Ben Franklin and Daiso with ample parking, allows The Locavore Store to do even more. They now produce their own cold brew coffee, coconut products, fruit juices, dried herbs, and grab-and-go meals, all from local ingredients. That means more options for customers and more economic opportunity for growers. Many Hawai‘i ‘Ulu Cooperative members also deliver directly to The Locavore Store - some with fresh produce, others with their own value-added goods.
It’s no surprise then that Hawai‘i ‘Ulu Cooperative has had a home on Locavore’s shelves since day one. Shoppers can grab our frozen staples — ‘ulu, kalo, ‘uala, pala‘ai — as well as prepared items like ‘ulu hummus, ‘ulu chocolate mousse, and our versatile ‘ulu flour. Customers love the convenience of these pre-prepped local ingredients, especially for seasonal crops like breadfruit that can be hard to find fresh.
In a town full of grocery options, The Locavore Store stands apart as a one-stop shop for anyone who prioritizes local. And while they don’t claim to carry everything, what they do offer is a thoughtful selection of high-quality local goods — each one with roots in Hawai‘i soil and the hands of local makers.
Address: 333 Kilauea Ave #103, Hilo, HI 96720
Phone: (808) 965-2372
Hours: M-F 9am-7pm Weekends 9am-6pm