Sustainability & Quality
Doing right by Hawaii, from sourcing and storage to safety and stewardship.
At Ham Produce & Seafood, food safety and sustainability go hand in hand. From sourcing local Hawaiian produce to maintaining rigorous safety standards, every step of our operation is built around protecting both the consumer and the islands we serve.
After more than four decades in the islands, we’ve learned that doing things the right way takes more than good intentions. It takes systems, partnerships, and a daily commitment to the people who eat what we deliver and the place we call home.
Our Commitment to Sustainability
As a locally owned Hawaii business, we believe in keeping our food system close to home. Our sustainability efforts span every part of the operation, from how we source product to how we move it across the island.
Local Sourcing
We partner with local farmers, growers, and fishermen whenever possible to bring fresh, island-grown produce and Hawaii-caught seafood to our customers. As one of the highest-volume buyers at the local fish auction, we help sustain Hawaii’s working waterfront and keep more of the food economy in the islands.
Waste Reduction & Community Giving
Every little difference helps. Our recycling and donation programs include:
- Donating unused raw materials to nonprofit partners including Aloha Harvest, the Hawaii Food Bank, and the Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center
- Sending excess produce to local pig farms and partner farms like Aloun Farms for composting
- Recycling all corrugated boxes used in our warehouse and delivery operations
Energy & Innovation
We’ve invested in technology that lowers our footprint without compromising freshness:
- Solar panels and energy-efficient chill storage facilities
- LED lighting throughout the warehouse, reducing electricity use and cooling load
- A refrigerated fleet of high-cube trucks built with modern emissions and fuel-efficiency systems
Cold Chain Sustainability
Cold chain sustainability means handling every product at its ideal temperature from harvest to delivery. Our products are continuously monitored at receipt, in storage, and again before they reach your door. Keeping it cold is how we keep it fresh, and it’s also how we reduce spoilage and waste.
Quality Assurance
Quality at Ham isn’t a department, it’s how the whole operation runs. We’re continually upgrading our storage facilities, fleet, and systems so we can move product efficiently and deliver consistent service to every customer.
Specialty Sourcing & Surge Capacity
Timing, quantity, and commitment matter when your business is busy. Our scale and supplier relationships allow us to track shifting demand and fulfill orders during seasonal surges, special events, and unexpected spikes.
Flexible Delivery & Invoicing
We accommodate special delivery windows, rush items, and customer-specific invoicing requirements. Whether you’re a single restaurant or a multi-location operator, our team adapts to how you do business.
Storage & Fleet Capacity
Through continued investment in cold storage, warehouse space, and our delivery fleet, we’ve kept pace with our customers’ growth. That capacity is what makes consistent service possible at scale.
Efficient Island-Wide Delivery
Our island-wide client base lets us schedule deliveries efficiently across Oahu. That efficiency benefits everyone: faster routes, fresher product, and lower environmental impact per delivery.
Food Safety Program
Ham Produce & Seafood is committed to providing the highest standard of products. To ensure our fresh products are safely sourced, handled, and distributed, every employee follows defined food safety protocols across every stage of the operation.
We are regularly audited by third-party organizations including the USDA, DLA Military, the Hawaii Department of Health (DOH), and Merieux-Silliker. These independent audits verify that our practices meet or exceed industry food safety standards.
HACCP Program
In addition to our Food Safety Program, Ham operates in full compliance with a HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points) Program. HACCP identifies critical control points related to biological, chemical, and physical hazards in food handling, and puts preventive measures in place at each one.
Our HACCP program covers every stage of our operation, from receiving and storage through delivery, helping us protect product integrity from supplier to customer.
Selection, Storage & Freshness
Fresh produce in Hawaii presents a unique challenge. Supply comes from many sources, sometimes local, sometimes from the mainland, sometimes international. Selecting and storing each product correctly is what allows us to deliver consistent quality regardless of where it came from.
Our team understands seasonal harvest cycles, peak quality windows, and the specific storage conditions each product needs. The goal is simple: help our customers prevent waste, reduce spoilage, and serve the freshest product possible to their guests.
Source With Confidence
Work with a partner whose standards match yours, from food safety to freshness to local impact.
Become a Customer
Frequently Asked Questions
What food safety certifications does Ham Produce & Seafood maintain?
Ham operates under both a Food Safety Program and a HACCP Program. We are regularly audited by third-party organizations including the USDA, DLA Military, the Hawaii Department of Health (DOH), and Merieux-Silliker. These audits verify that our practices meet or exceed industry food safety standards.
What is HACCP and why does it matter?
HACCP stands for Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points. It’s an internationally recognized food safety system that identifies potential biological, chemical, and physical hazards in food handling and puts preventive measures in place at each critical step. Following HACCP means we’re systematically protecting product integrity from supplier to customer.
How does Ham ensure product freshness from supplier to customer?
We carefully source every product, monitor temperature and handling throughout storage, and coordinate efficient delivery routes across Oahu so our produce and seafood reach customers quickly. Our team continuously inspects products at receipt and again before delivery to maintain freshness and quality.
How does Ham support sustainability in Hawaii?
We prioritize partnerships with local Hawaiian farmers, growers, and fishermen whenever possible, donate unused product to local nonprofits and farms, recycle warehouse waste, and operate energy-efficient facilities and a modern refrigerated fleet. Supporting local agriculture and reducing waste are part of how we operate every day.
Who audits Ham's quality and safety programs?
Our programs are regularly audited by the USDA, DLA Military, the Hawaii Department of Health, and Merieux-Silliker, all independent third-party auditors that verify ongoing compliance with food safety standards.
