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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.R. NO. |
185 |
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THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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HOUSE RESOLUTION
REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO CONVENE A WORKING GROUP TO ADDRESS THE FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF AUDITOR'S REPORT NO. 26-08 REGARDING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF HAWAII'S FARM-TO-SCHOOL AND LOCAL FOOD PROCUREMENT INITIATIVES.
WHEREAS, this body recognizes the importance of strengthening Hawaii's food resilience, supporting local agriculture, and improving the nutritional quality of school meals through policies that encourage the procurement of locally grown and produced foods for public school meal programs; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Education was tasked with meeting goals for increasing the use of locally sourced food in school meals, including a statutory benchmark that at least ten percent of food served in public schools be locally sourced, reflecting the State's commitment to strengthening local food systems and reducing dependence on imported food; and
WHEREAS, the Auditor issued Auditor's Report No. 26-08, evaluating the Department of Education's progress in implementing the State's Farm-to-School and local food procurement policies; and
WHEREAS, the audit identified several systemic challenges that have limited progress toward the State's goals, including the absence of a comprehensive strategic plan, limited coordination with local agricultural producers and distributors, procurement processes that do not readily identify locally sourced products, and the need for improved data collection and reporting systems; and
WHEREAS, the audit further highlighted the importance of improved coordination between the Department of Education's meal system and Hawaii's agricultural sector to strengthen food system resilience while supporting local farmers and producers; and
WHEREAS, addressing these challenges requires collaboration among educators, agricultural producers, food distributors, policymakers, nutrition professionals, and community organizations working to strengthen Hawaii's local food systems; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2026, that the Department of Education is requested to convene a Farm-to-School and Local Food Procurement Working Group to review the findings of Auditor's Report No. 26-08 and identify strategies for strengthening the Department's ability to meet its local food procurement goals; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Working Group is requested to consist of no more than seventeen members, representing key stakeholder groups involved in the school food system and local agriculture sector, and include the following representation:
(1) The Administrator of the School Food Services Branch of the Department of Education, or the Administrator's designee;
(2) The Department of Education's Farm-to-School Coordinator, or an equivalent staff member responsible for local food procurement initiatives;
(3) One representative from the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, to be designated by the Chairperson of the Board of Agriculture and Biosecurity;
(4) One representative from the Department of Education's Office of Facilities and Operations or procurement administration, to be designated by the Superintendent of Education;
(5) Two representatives of Hawaii agricultural producers, including at least one farmer currently supplying or seeking to supply food to institutional buyers, to be invited by the Superintendent of Education;
(6) Two representatives of food distributors or vendors that supply food to the public school system, to be invited by the Superintendent of Education;
(7) One public school principal, to be invited by the Superintendent of Education;
(8) One public school cafeteria manager or food service supervisor, to be invited by the Superintendent of Education;
(9) Two representatives of child nutrition or school nutrition professionals, including individuals with expertise in federal school meal program administration, to be invited by the Superintendent of Education;
(10) Three representatives of nonprofit or community organizations engaged in farm-to-school, food system development, or agricultural education initiatives in Hawaii, to be invited by the Superintendent of Education;
(11) One member of the House of Representatives, to be designated by the Speaker of the House; and
(12) One member of the Senate, to be designated by the President of the Senate; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Working Group is requested to review and discuss the findings of Auditor's Report No. 26-08 and identify practical strategies to:
(1) Improve the collection, accuracy, and reporting of data regarding locally sourced food in public school meals;
(2) Identify procurement practices that better support the identification and purchase of locally produced food items while maintaining compliance with applicable procurement laws and federal program requirements;
(3) Strengthen coordination between the Department of Education and Hawaii's agricultural sector;
(4) Identify opportunities to strengthen local food supply chains capable of serving public schools; and
(5) Provide recommendations for administrative or legislative actions that may help the Department of Education meet its local food procurement goals; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Education is requested to submit a report to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2027 summarizing the Working Group's discussions, including any findings, recommendations, and proposed legislation; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Superintendent of Education, Chairperson of the Board of Education, and Chairperson of the Board of Agriculture and Biosecurity.
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OFFERED BY: |
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Department of Education; Farm-To-School; Local Food Procurement; Working Group