Copyright © 2023 Kamuela Vacuum Cooling Cooperative
Designed by Danny Waddell
Preserve product quality and prolong shelf life with the Kamuela Vacuum Cooling Cooperative
The Kamuela Vacuum Cooling Cooperative (KVCC) serves local Hawai‘i Island area farmers and businesses in the rapid cooling and cold storage of agricultural products. KVCC’s members are independent producers in Hawai‘i Island’s Kohala and Hāmākua districts. If you are a producer interested in joining or finding out more information, visit our membership page and fill out an application to join the cooperative.
Preserve product quality and prolong shelf life with the Kamuela Vacuum Cooling Cooperative
The Kamuela Vacuum Cooling Cooperative (KVCC) serves local Hawai‘i Island area farmers and businesses in the rapid cooling and cold storage of agricultural products. KVCC’s members are independent producers in Hawai‘i Island’s Kohala and Hāmākua districts. If you are a producer interested in joining or finding out more information, visit our membership page and fill out an application to join the cooperative.
Assisting Hawai‘i Island Farmers since 1964 with Rapid Cooling and Storage Solutions
The Kamuela Vacuum Cooling Cooperative was established in 1964 to assist local farmers in the rapid cooling and cold storage of agricultural products. The facility supports the post-harvest operations for a group of agricultural producers. KVCC stores and distributes local grown product to markets across the state.
Assisting Local Farmers since 1964 with Rapid Cooling and Storage Solutions
The Kamuela Vacuum Cooling Cooperative was established in 1964 to assist local farmers in the rapid cooling and cold storage of agricultural products. The facility supports the post-harvest operations for a group of agricultural producers. KVCC stores and distributes local grown product to markets across the state.
There's More to the Story
Rapidly cooling fresh fruit and vegetables before processing or storing removes the “field heat” from freshly picked produce to inhibit decay, maintain quality and nutritional value, and extend the shelf life of locally grown products.
The Kamuela Vacuum Cooling Cooperative holds a long-term lease from the State of Hawai‘i on a vacuum cooling plant in Waimea (Kamuela), Hawai‘i. The cooperative of farmers operates the plant on an at-cost basis for the benefit of the farmers to store and distribute locally grown products to markets across the state.
The facility operates 5-days a week and also serves as a loading and plug-in site for produce trucking companies. Refrigerated container trucks pick up produce at KVCC for transportation to the Port of Kawaihae for inter-island shipping. All of the produce grown by KVCC farmers is consumed here in Hawai‘i!
What Our Members Say
Our Kamuela Vacuum Cooling Cooperative membership enables us to rapidly cool our produce post-harvest and preserve the cold chain from packing to shipping—improving product shelf life and helping our farm ship high-quality local produce statewide.
Max Bowman
When vacuum cooling became available to the Kamuela farmers, they could ship their products throughout the state and maintain the fresh quality of local produce. The KVCC provides a great location for meetings, social gatherings, and classes to improve farming practices.
Wendell Kewano
The Kamuela Vacuum Cooling Cooperative helps farmers by providing cooling and storage infrastructure at cost, so they don’t have to build their own cooler and have their produce readily available for local retailers. The facility is essential for our business.
Louis Rincon