HCR 104: urging the department of education to strengthen farm-to-school initiatives.

HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

urging the department of education to strengthen farm-to-school initiatives.

     WHEREAS, Hawai‘i currently imports nearly eighty-five to ninety percent of its food, making the State vulnerable to external supply chain disruptions; and

     WHEREAS, farm-to-school programs provide an opportunity to increase local food procurement and resilience, reduce Hawai‘i's reliance on imported goods, and strengthen the State's agricultural economy; and

     WHEREAS, Act 175, Session Laws of Hawaii 2021, established a goal for at least thirty percent of school meal ingredients to be sourced locally by 2030; and

     WHEREAS, significant barriers continue to stifle progress in meeting the local food procurement goal, including procurement regulations, distribution logistics, and inconsistent farmer-school partnerships; and

     WHEREAS, expanding local farm procurement in farm-to-school initiatives would support Hawai‘i's small and medium-sized farms; and

     WHEREAS, prioritizing the procurement of locally grown Native Hawaiian crops, such as kalo, ‘uala, and ulu, aligns with Hawai‘i's commitment to food sovereignty, climate resilience, and indigenous agricultural practices; and

     WHEREAS, increasing local farm procurement in schools would provide stable, institutional markets for Hawai‘i farmers, thereby fostering economic growth and workforce development in the State; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2025, the Senate concurring, that the Department of Education is urged to take immediate action to strengthen local farm-to-school initiatives; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Education is requested to:

     (1)  Streamline the procurement process to make it easier for small- and medium-scale farmers to sell to schools, including simplifying contracting requirements and increasing flexibility in sourcing policies;

     (2)  Develop a statewide database of local farms that are eligible and interested in supplying food for school meals to facilitate farm-to-school connections;

     (3)  Increase financial incentives for schools to purchase locally sourced food through grant programs, subsidies, or farm-to-school budget allocations; and

     (4)  Ensure culturally appropriate foods, such as kalo, ‘uala, and ulu, are incorporated into school meal programs; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Education is requested to submit a report on its progress, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2026; and

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

Report Title: 

Department of Education; Farm-to-School Initiatives

STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1788

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2025

RE:   H.C.R. No. 104

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Madame:

     Your Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 104 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO STRENGTHEN FARM-TO-SCHOOL INITIATIVES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to urge the Department of Education to take immediate action to strengthen local farm-to-school initiatives and request the department to:

(1)    Streamline the procurement process to make it easier for small- and medium-scale farmers to sell to schools, including simplifying contracting requirements and increasing flexibility in sourcing policies;

(2)    Develop a statewide database of local farms that are eligible and interested in supplying food for school meals to facilitate farm-to-school connections;

(3)    Increase financial incentives for schools to purchase locally sourced food through grant programs, subsidies, or farm-to-school budget allocations;

(4)    Ensure culturally appropriate foods, such as kalo, ʻuala, and ulu, are incorporated into school meal programs; and

(5)    Submit a report on its progress, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2026.   

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the University of Hawaiʻi System, Department of Agriculture, Climate Protectors Hawaii, Kauai Climate Action Coalition, Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau, Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi, Hawaiʻi Youth Food Council, Hawaiʻi Cattlemen's Council, and three individuals. Your Committee received comments from the Department of Education. 

Your Committee finds that farm-to-school programs provide an opportunity to increase local food procurement and resilience, reduce Hawaiʻi's reliance on imported goods, and strengthen the State's agricultural economy.  Additionally, prioritizing the procurement of locally grown Native Hawaiian crops aligns with Hawaiʻi's commitment to food sovereignty, climate resilience, and indigenous agricultural practices.  Your Committee further finds that expanding local farm procurement in farm-to-school initiatives would support Hawaiʻi's small and medium-sized farms and provide stable, institutional markets for Hawaiʻi's farmers.  This measure urges the Department of Education to take immediate action to strengthen local farm-to-school initiatives by streamlining the procurement process to make it easier for small and medium-scale farmers to sell to schools, developing a statewide database of interested and eligible farms, increasing financial incentives for schools to purchase locally sourced food, ensure culturally appropriate foods, and submitting a report on its progress and any proposed legislation prior to the Regular Session of 2026.  

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 104 and recommends its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems,

STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1673

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2025

RE:   H.C.R. No. 104

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Madame:

     Your Committee on Education, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 104 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO STRENGTHEN FARM-TO-SCHOOL INITIATIVES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to urge the Department of Education to take immediate action to strengthen local farm-to-school initiatives.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture; University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience; Climate Future Forum's Regenerative Food Systems Working Group; Hawaii Reef and Ocean Coalition and Climate Protectors Hawaii; and five individuals.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Education.

     Your Committee finds that Act 175, Session Laws of Hawaii 2021 (Act 175), established a goal for at least thirty percent of school meal ingredients to be sourced locally by 2030.  Your Committee further finds that significant barriers continue to hinder progress in meeting the local food procurement goal, including procurement regulations, distribution logistics, and inconsistent farmer-school partnerships.  Your Committee believes that immediate action to strengthen local farm-to-school initiatives should be taken by the Department of Education to meet the requirements of Act 175 to ensure that Hawaii's students receive school meals made from fresh, locally grown products while encouraging economic growth and strengthening the agricultural sector of the State.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Education that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 104 and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Education,