Also during the conference, a new mango chapter was founded and will be under the guidance of Mark Suiso, of Makaha Mangoes. Love said the Hawaii Tropical Fruit Growers Association is dedicated to working with local growers to further develop
Tropical fruit growers give awards, form mango chapter
A grocery store and four chefs were lauded for their promotion and creative use of local fruit at the recent 19th annual Hawaii International Tropical Fruit Conference. The gathering, “A Taste of Hawaii,” was Sept. 18 to 20 at the Hilton Waikoloa Village.
Choice Mart supermarket at Kealakekua Ranch Center in Captain Cook received an award for showcasing seasonal, locally grown citrus as the first display in the store. According to Ken Love, executive director of the Hawaii Tropical Fruit Growers Association, numerous South Kona farmers benefited from the grocer’s positioning of the display.
Chefs cited for their “continuing and creative use of local fruit,” included George Gomes Jr., of the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel; Peter Merriman, of Merriman’s restaurant; Matt Zubrod, of Monette’s at the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel; and Charles Charbenneau, of the Hilton Waikoloa Village.
Also during the conference, a new mango chapter was founded and will be under the guidance of Mark Suiso, of Makaha Mangoes. Love said the Hawaii Tropical Fruit Growers Association is dedicated to working with local growers to further develop the state’s mango industry and decrease the reliance on imports.
