Adaptations Inc

Our mission is to engage in ecologically sound
community and land development based on organic farming,
alternative energy and complimentary medicine.

Not only do we supply wholesale and retail businesses but we also run a CSA called Fresh Feast. You can learn more about our CSA at

Adaptations has been growing and supplying locally grown, organic produce to chefs, families and retailers since 1984. Tane and Maureen Datta are the owners of Adaptations, Inc. and have been involved in cultivating sustainable food systems both as homesteaders and in their development of a distribution center for local growers. Tane has worked with many organizations, including being a founding member of Hawaii Organic Farmers Association, a contributor to the Organic Materials Review Institute, Independent Organic Inspectors Association and Oregon Tilth. Maureen worked in California as assistant to the president of Wildwood Natural Foods, learning skills that served her and Tane in growing Adaptations from a company of three growers and half a dozen accounts in 1990 to the current scale of over 100 growers and 65 accounts on five islands today. Adaptations can supply certified organic produce that meets USDA regulations to resorts, restaurants and retail outlets. The marketing and distribution business connects growers of all scales with consumers of all scales.

On its farm, Adaptations uses ecological, certified organic practices. Adaptations Farm hosts select volunteers who apply for a position through “World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms ( ).”

Tane and Maureen began raising herbs and lettuce for Peter Merriman, founder of the Hawaii Regional Cuisine group, when he was at the Mauna Lani, before he opened his restaurant in Waimea. He invited them to share their knowledge with the Hawaii Regional Cuisine Chefs so that they could better understand how to work with the local community of farmers in order to get what they needed. They attended the first three meetings of the HRC group, advising them and learning from them how to produce locally what was previously only being imported.

Since then, they have increased productivity on their acre certified organic farm in Honaunau where they grow micro mix, edible flowers, herbs, salad, avocados and medicinal plants. Their home and production areas are “off the grid” and solar powered. Onsite composting systems use earthworms to recycle the soil. They have developed infrastructure that includes local gardeners and farmers, industrial scale salad processing equipment, refrigerated chill room, ripening racks for avocados, fruit and tomatoes, delivery vans and an excellent skilled and committed staff.

Adaptations helps with both the production and consumption of local, sustainably produced crops. Sustainability includes health, energy, education, and job creation. Sustainable business is based on personal relationships and high quality production. This approach has been termed “artisanal”, as opposed to “industrial”. The product is “something special” as opposed to “low cost”. Encouraging local, sustainable food sources supports the ‘slow food’ movement; we now have a flourishing subscription service for families on the Big Island, supplying the freshest greens, vegetables and fruit. Adaptations’ approach requires a skilled and conscientious work force. Decision-making is based on workers having knowledge and being able to work together toward agreed upon specifications. The employees of Adaptations have extensive experience in tropical agriculture and a personal commitment to excellence in their positions. Adaptations’ dedication is intended to support Hawaii’s products and the families who produce them. 100% of the produce we distribute is grown on the Big Island.