THE SENATE	S.C.R. NO.	84
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2008
STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

requesting the Department of Education and the Hawaii public school food service to develop nutritionally-sound public school menu plans that include vegetarian and vegan meals.

     WHEREAS, all students should be assured nutritionally-balanced diets to assure they become healthy adults who do not suffer from the effects of obesity and malnutrition from not eating healthy food; and

     WHEREAS, fruits and vegetables promote good health because they contain fiber and essential nutrients, including vitamins and minerals, are low in fat and calories, contain phytochemicals that may provide additional protection to reduce the risk of cancer and heart disease, and contain no cholesterol; and

     WHEREAS, the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Cancer Society, American Dietetic Association, American Heart Association, and National Institutes of Health recommend that diets should include a balance of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains; and

     WHEREAS, students who identify themselves as vegetarian or vegan, i.e. they do not consume or use any animal products, or come from vegetarian or vegan families need to have access to vegetarian and vegan meals in the public schools; and

     WHEREAS, some public schools are able to provide vegetarian and vegan meals; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-fourth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2008, the House of Representatives concurring, that the Department of Education and the Hawaii public school food service are requested to develop nutritionally-sound public school menu plans that give students the option of vegetarian and vegan public school meals; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Education is requested to develop a plan to provide vegetarian and vegan meals that are nutritious and balanced and available to students in all public schools; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Education is requested to develop a website to list schools that have vegetarian and vegan menu options and to post vegetarian and vegan recipes and menus that meet USDA requirements to facilitate the development of vegetarian and vegan options for students in Hawaii; 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 2009 on the public school menu plans that have been developed and implemented to provide nutritionally-sound public school meals that include the option of vegetarian and vegan meals; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Chairperson of the Board of Education and the Superintendent of Education.

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title: 

DOE; Vegan/vegetarian School Lunches