URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO STRENGTHEN FARM-TO-SCHOOL INITIATIVES.

This House Resolution (HR 100) urges the Hawaii Department of Education to strengthen farm-to-school programs. It directly affects Hawaii schools, local farmers (especially small/medium producers), and Native Hawaiian crop growers by requesting four specific actions: streamlining procurement rules for farmers, creating a statewide farm database, offering financial incentives for local food purchases, and ensuring culturally significant foods like kalo are included in meals. The resolution does not create new law but asks the Department to report progress by 2026 on implementing these measures to help meet a 2030 goal of sourcing 30% of school meal ingredients locally. It addresses barriers like complex contracts and logistics that hinder current efforts to reduce Hawaii’s reliance on imported food.