Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2002

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health and Human Services, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 46 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to urge the Department of Education (DOE) to encourage the development and use of food gardens as a teaching tool.

The DOE submitted testimony in opposition to this measure.

This measure is targeted for elementary schools, where it is important for the students to learn about healthy eating. Food gardens would make students aware of the dietary importance and nutritional value of fruits and vegetables. While the DOE testified that growing vegetables or having class vegetable gardens are presently integrated as appropriate into the nutrition studies, your Committee feels that the practice should become more widespread among the schools.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health and Human Services that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 46 and recommends that it be referred to the Committee on Education.