THE SENATE	S.C.R. NO.	107
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2008
STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

requesting the department of health to develop nutritionally-sound public school menu plans that give students the option of a vegetarian school lunch meal.

     WHEREAS, during the extensive period of time they spend at school, students should be provided with nutritious food and drinks to help them mature in developmentally-appropriate ways; and

     WHEREAS, the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Cancer Society, American Dietetic Association, American Heart Association, and National Institutes of Health now recommend that there be greater emphasis in the American diet on fruits, vegetables, and whole grains; 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, all the essential organic nutrients in the human diet are synthesized by plants and microorganisms; and

     WHEREAS, increasing awareness of the importance of eating five or more servings of fruits and vegetables a day for better health should begin in the schools; and

     WHEREAS, a significant minority of Hawaii school children identify themselves as vegetarian or vegan – they use no animal products – or come from vegetarian or vegan families; and

     WHEREAS, these children are at a disadvantage if no vegetarian school lunches are offered at their schools; and

     WHEREAS, all students should be assured nutritionally-balanced diets regardless of their food preferences and avoidances; 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 Health is requested to work in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Education, and Hawaii's school food service to develop nutritionally-sound public school menu plans that give students the option of a vegetarian school lunch meal; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Health, in cooperation with the Department of Education, is requested to submit to the Legislature, no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2009, a report on the public school menu plans that have been developed and implemented to provide nutritionally-sound public school menu plans including the option of vegetarian school lunch meals; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Director of Health, the Chair of the Board of Education, the Superintendent of Education, and the Chair of the Board of Agriculture.

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title: 

DOH; Vegetarian School Lunches