STAND. COM. REP. NO. 659

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2021

RE: H.B. No. 767

H.D. 2

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 767, H.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE FARM TO SCHOOL PROGRAM,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to support the Hawaii Farm to School Program by moving the program from the Department of Agriculture to the Department of Education and establishing a programmatic goal that at least thirty percent of food served in public schools be locally sourced by 2030.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from Malama Kaua‘i; Kauai Food Hub; Local Food Coalition; Hana Community Association; Hawai‘i Primary Care Association; Hawaii Cattlemen's Council; Hawai‘i Farm Bureau; Environmental Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i; Hawaii Meats, LLC; Food+ Policy Internship; Hawai‘i SEED; Hawai‘i Alliance for Progressive Action; Hawai‘i Appleseed Center for Law and Economic Justice; and numerous individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Education, Department of Agriculture, Land Use Research Foundation, Ulupono Initiative, Blue Zones Project, Hawai‘i Public Health Institute, and Farm to Keiki.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 767, H.D. 2, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

____________________________

SYLVIA LUKE, Chair