CONTRIBUTED BY KRISTY WELLS
Being stationed overseas has its challenges. One challenge is produce selection at the commissaries. Let’s face it – everyone eats some sort of fresh produce at some point. Everyone!
I close my eyes and I return to our last stateside base (and when we leave here it will have been 5+ years of overseas living). I remember the local farmer markets. I remember the rural farms that had Saturday produce sale days. I remember CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) shares. I remember even at mainstream grocery stores the produce selection was huge, and if one store didn’t have what I wanted, there were many other groceries stores to choose from in the local area.
Fast forward to present day. I was sad to leave all my produce options. Here I am, stationed on the island of Okinawa, with commissaries to shop at for produce. When I arrived on island, I did venture off base to a few local grocery stores. I found some smiles growing within me at the opportunities for more selection than just the commissaries. Then I got really excited when I found a few fresh produce markets! But all the labels are marked with odd looking symbols… Oh wait, I’m in Japan! It must be Kanji! And no, I don’t read Kanji. Then I got sad again. I am a little too timid to spend money (more specifically, yen) on produce that I have no clue how to prepare and eat, and even more importantly, what parts of the produce are edible and what parts are not. Toting two children with me (and yes, any trip leaving the house is an adventure with young children!), I wasn’t interested in having my smart phone out and Googling pictures of produce to find out what was what while I was out trying to shop.
Then I found the answer! I don’t remember how I heard about it, but Okinawa Island Produce is run by Cindy, and is the answer to my prayers. In short, she finds local and mostly organic produce from small farms on the island. She gathers it. She delivers it. Life is good! You can also find her on Facebook, too.
Cindy is an American, born and raised in California. Her mother is from Okinawa, and she has returned to her roots to pursue her business endeavors. She speaks English and Japanese. By trade, she is a seasoned teacher, and now she is here to teach us about local Okinawan produce! She works with local and mostly organic farmers to get you the freshest produce available. The selections are seasonal and always changing.
The Details:
Here are the current ordering choices:
Vegetable Bag: Approximately 12 types of vegetables
Mixed Bag: Approximately 8 types of vegetables plus 1 fruit variety
You can check the website to find out what produce is in season. Although you cannot choose what is in your bag, if there is something you strongly dislike, Cindy can work with you to find an alternative. She accepts cash on delivery (in yen or dollars), or Paypal. Delivery is to established pickup locations and off-base residences in the central Okinawa area. Since order dates and delivery locations may change, please check the website for the current details or to contact her for questions. Summer months will bring a fruit bag option, too!
Great looking produce! Miss you guys! Had two trips to Okinawa; 67-69 and 78-81, second one with my wife and children.
CIndy is great! I have ordered this a few times & love the variety she does & the convenience she gives by both offering PayPal & delivering anywhere! Great service!
I found her page via Facebook before we arrived on island and I am so excited to place my first order this week. Thank for sharing!
Wow this is just awesome! I too have wondered off looking for fresh produce around the island. I have found a few stores that sell fresh veggies, but as mentioned, everything is written in kanji. I have stopped buying produce from commissary and now I will definitely check out Cindy’s business! Thank you so much for sharing this!
Cindy is fabulous. I have ordered veggies and fruit from her, and many people at my work order too. It’s a great alternative to what you can find on your own… especially if you don’t speak/read Japanese. She gets it straight from the farm. I’m so happy to see this article, because I want Cindy to succeed and continue to bring us great fresh produce.
I buy from Okinawa Island Produce now. Cindy is knowledgeable – what produce is available on the island, what’s coming up in the next season. She just makes things so easy. Great recipes are shared. Highly recommended!!
I buy my produce at the store. No need for the middle man.
I love my Oki produce deliveries!! This is such a great service especially if you prefer organic. It also intises me to try new things and learn new recipies. =)
I had the pleasure of helping out at one of the farms and it was a very fun experience. Highly recommended. I learned something new too! Being as busy as I am, I definitely appreciate Cindy’s business endeavors. I might not make it to the Commissary but there’ll be fresh produce in my house. Awesome service!
Is Cindy still doing this? I went to her website and it looks outdated and there was nothing to order.
I dont think she does this anymore. Pretty sure she posted that on her FB page.
I think the last set of typhoons damaged crops pretty badly so the farmers haven’t had much to supply. I expect that things will pick up again this summer. (I recently received an email that she had kale). This is such a great service that I think she should know that she has supportive customers out there rooting for her business to bounce back. Email her at ladybird@okinawaislandproduce.com.