HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	2304
THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2022		H.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO THE FARM TO SCHOOL PROGRAM.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the Hawaii farm to school program was created in 2015 to improve the health of Hawaii's children by encouraging consumption of fresh, locally grown foods for nutritional content and to promote healthy behaviors at an early age. The legislature also finds that supporting local businesses and encouraging the production and use of local agricultural products are a matter of statewide concern.

To support the Hawaii farm to school program, Act 175, Session Laws of Hawaii 2021 (Act 175), was enacted, which moved the program from the department of agriculture to the department of education and established a programmatic goal that at least thirty per cent of food served in public schools be locally sourced by 2030. Following the enactment of Act 175, the department of education began taking the steps necessary to achieve the Act's programmatic goal. However, in the department of education's Annual Report on Farm to School Meals that was sent to the legislature, the department of education noted that additional resources and funding are needed to carry out the Hawaii farm to school program and accomplish Act 175's programmatic goal. The department's report specifically states that there is no funding available for internal systems and controls. The legislature believes that internal systems and controls are needed to better understand the current use of funds and procurement of local food, and to be able to make more informed decisions regarding strategy.

Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to:

(1) Appropriate funds to the department of education for additional resources to help implement the Hawaii farm to school program, specifically to implement internal systems and controls to meet the State's local food goals in school meals; and

(2) Require the department of education to submit a report to the legislature no later than January 1, 2023, that details a plan and timeline for implementing the Hawaii farm to school program.

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $           or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2022-2023 for the department of education to secure additional resources to help implement the Hawaii farm to school program, specifically to implement internal systems and controls to meet the State's local food goals in school meals, including:

(1) A centralized food data system;

(2) Training for cafeteria staff for preparation and procurement; and

(3) Consultants to effectuate plans of the program in all department schools.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of education for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 3. The department of education shall submit a report to the legislature no later than January 1, 2023, that details a plan and timeline for implementing the Hawaii farm to school program.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2050.

Report Title:

Hawaii Farm to Schools Program; Farm to School Meals; DOE; Report; Appropriation

Description:

Appropriates funds to the DOE to secure additional resources to help implement the Hawaii farm to school program, specifically to implement internal systems and controls to meet the State's local food goals in school meals. Requires the DOE to submit a report to the legislature no later than 1/1/2023 that details a plan and timeline for implementing the Hawaii farm to school program. Effective 7/1/2050. (HD1)

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