What products and commodities are eligible?

Eligible products for null include: Dairy Guava Papaya Macadamia Nuts Fruits Coffee

A Food Manufacturer is: An entity licensed to do business in the State of Hawaii; and Eligible food manufacturers shall have the controlling interest of its shareholders and directors possess a minimum of two years of relevant processing or manufacturing experiences as acceptable to the department of agriculture; and The entity shall process Hawaii-grown agricultural products or use Hawaii-grown agricultural products as an ingredient in the manufacturing process. Processed and manufactured agricultural food products include items such as chips, dairy products, guava and papaya puree, macadamia nut products, fruit drinks, juices, nectars, jams, jellies, packaged coffee, processed vegetables, freeze-dried and fresh poi, processed meat products, cookies, and candies.

Hawaii Food Manufacturing Loans

Hawaii Department of Agriculture

About

The Hawaii Food Manufacturing Loans are part of the Hawaii Agricultural Loan Division.

The State of Hawaii, Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Loan Division administers the Agricultural Loan Program and the Aquaculture Loan Program. The intent of the programs is to help promote agricultural and aquacultural development of the State by providing credit at reasonable rates and terms to qualifying individuals or entities. Through the establishment of a revolving loan fund, credit is made available by supplementing private lender sector loan funds or by providing direct funding.

Considered a “lender of last resort”, the program is not intended to compete with private sector lenders. Prospective applicants must inquire with and be denied credit from private sector lenders prior to filling an application. In addition, prospective applicants must fulfill applicable eligibility requirements. Applicants that are not able to obtain denials from the private lending sector may inquire with the private lender on the possibility of utilizing the insured/guaranty and/or participation loan facilities.

Commodities

Eligibility

A Food Manufacturer is:

An entity licensed to do business in the State of Hawaii; and
Eligible food manufacturers shall have the controlling interest of its shareholders and directors possess a minimum of two years of relevant processing or manufacturing experiences as acceptable to the department of agriculture; and
The entity shall process Hawaii-grown agricultural products or use Hawaii-grown agricultural products as an ingredient in the manufacturing process.

Processed and manufactured agricultural food products include items such as chips, dairy products, guava and papaya puree, macadamia nut products, fruit drinks, juices, nectars, jams, jellies, packaged coffee, processed vegetables, freeze-dried and fresh poi, processed meat products, cookies, and candies.

Terms

Facility Loans require a down payment or equity contribution of 15% and can not exceed 85% of the value of the security offered.

Interest rates are fixed at 1% below the prime rate or at 7-1/2% per annum whichever is less. The prime rate is determined twice a year, on January 1st and July 1st of each year.

Facility Loans: Purchase or improve land, buildings, and equipment.

Operating Loans: Finance inventories of supplies and materials, warehousing, marketing expenses and shipping commodities.