STAND. COM. REP. NO. 395

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2025

RE: H.B. No. 328

H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems, to which was referred H.B. No. 328, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO SCHOOL MEALS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Require the Department of Education to authorize and facilitate complex areas or individual department schools to form their own Farm to School Meal Programs; and

(2) Authorize the Department of Education to establish a plant-based meal program to provide a plant-based meal as an option under the school meals program.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from one member of the Hawai‘i County Council; Department of Agriculture of the County of Maui; Hawai‘i Farmers Union; Hawai‘i State Teachers Association; Hawai‘i Public Health Institute; Greenpeace Hawaii; Climate Protectors Hawai‘i; 350Hawaii.org; Kauai Climate Action Coalition; Hawaiʻi Food+ Policy; Climate Future Forum; Hawaiian Islands Republican Women; Lou's Quality Home Health Care Services, LLC; and numerous individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Education and Hawaii Cattlemen's Council.

Your Committee finds that progress toward the goal of sourcing thirty percent of school meal ingredients locally by 2030 has been slow, limiting the availability of fresh, nutritious food for students while missing an opportunity to strengthen Hawaii's agricultural economy. Empowering individual schools and complex areas to form their own farm-to-school partnerships will create more regional opportunities for farmers, reducing transportation costs and increasing access to fresh produce. Additionally, offering plant-based meal options provides students with healthier alternatives while supporting sustainability efforts and expanding demand for local agriculture. This measure ensures that Hawaii's schools serve meals that nourish students while fostering a resilient, community-based food system that benefits keiki and local farmers.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 328, H.D. 1, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems,

____________________________

KIRSTIN KAHALOA, Chair