Report Title:

Vegan School Lunches

WHEREAS, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Cancer Society, the American Dietetic Association, the American Heart Association, and the National Institutes of Health now recommend that there be greater emphasis in the American diet on fruits, vegetables, and whole grains; and

WHEREAS, all the essential organic nutrients in the human diet are synthesized by plants and microorganisms; and

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

WHEREAS, the Department of Health is striving to increase public awareness of the importance of eating five or more servings of fruits and vegetables a day for better health; and

WHEREAS, increased consumption of locally grown fruits and vegetables promotes a sustainable environment; and

WHEREAS, a significant minority of Hawaii school children either identify themselves as vegetarian or vegan (use no animal products at all), or come from vegetarian or vegan families; and

WHEREAS, these children are at a disadvantage if no vegetarian school lunch meals are offered in their respective schools; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-First Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2001, that state agencies, including the Department of Health, Department of Agriculture, the Department of Education, and the Hawaii School Food Service are encouraged to develop nutritionally sound menu plans that will provide optional vegetarian school lunches in such a way that all students will be assured nutritionally balanced diets, regardless of their food preferences and avoidances; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Director of the Hawaii School Food Service is requested to report to the Legislature by September 1, 2002 on programs made to offer optional vegetarian school lunches; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Director of Health, the Chairperson of the Board of Agriculture, the Chairperson of the Board of Education, the Superintendent of Education, and the Director of the Hawaii School Food Service.