STAND. COM. REP. NO. 69

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2021

RE: H.B. No. 443

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Agriculture, to which was referred H.B. No. 443 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO SCHOOL FOOD PROGRAMS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require the Department of Education to conduct a comprehensive cost analysis of the department's food services and student meal programs, including increasing the use of locally grown agricultural products and reducing reliance on imported agricultural products and other food imports.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii Farm Bureau; Hawaii Primary Care Association; Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Inc.; Ulupono Initiative; Land Use Research Foundation of Hawaii; Blue Zones Project; Local Food Coalition; Hawaii SEED; Ka Ohana O Na Pua; Hawaii Farmers Union United Kona Chapter; Kahana Foundation; and numerous individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Education and Department of Agriculture.

Your Committee finds that this measure would help invest in the health of Hawaii's children by providing nutritious, locally-grown food in schools and augment the State's food security and self-sufficiency by reducing its reliance on imported agricultural products.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 443 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Education.

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

____________________________

MARK J. HASHEM, Chair