The Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation and Maui County Farm Bureau have announced a partnership with Hawaii Superferry, which is offering a 30 percent discount to qualified farmers and merchants when they ship locally grown and produced goods on the Hawaii Superferry.

The new partnership will help Hawai'i's farmers and businesses expand to new markets and provide them with another important mode of daily transportation to efficiently and cost-effectively move their products interisland, help maintain the sustainability of agri-business in Hawai'i and provide consumers with more and better produce choices, Farm Bureau officials said.

"We applaud businesses, like Hawaii Superferry, who are committed to keeping our local farmers viable, as well as help keep Hawai'i sustainable," said Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation President Dean Okimoto said in a news release. "For consumers in Hawai'i, this new partnership also translates into produce that is fresher and with a longer shelf life."

Hawaii Superferry's ship, the Alakai, is outfitted with onboard reefer plugs that allow refrigerated trucks to maintain the same temperature throughout the voyage, a feature that helps produce maintain a longer shelf life.

The 30 percent discount includes, but is not limited to, pineapple, sugar, fruits and vegetables, coffee, hay, whole eggs, juices (not in retail cans), macadamia nuts, onions, potatoes, milk, meat and poultry, livestock, flowers, and flowering ornamental plants. Also included are products made from agricultural products grown in the islands, such as processed meats, coffee or poi.

Fares for passengers, including drivers, are not in included in the discount program. Farmers and businesses must apply and qualify for participation in the program, with applications available for pick-up at Hawaii Superferry's corporate office at One Waterfront Plaza, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Suite 300, Honolulu, HI 96813 or downloaded at www.hawaiisuperferry.com/agdiscount.

Applications can also be obtained by contacting the Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation in Honolulu at 848-2074.