STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1788

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2025

RE: H.C.R. No. 104

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.C.R. No. 104 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO STRENGTHEN FARM-TO-SCHOOL INITIATIVES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to urge the Department of Education to take immediate action to strengthen local farm-to-school initiatives and request the department to:

(1) Streamline the procurement process to make it easier for small- and medium-scale farmers to sell to schools, including simplifying contracting requirements and increasing flexibility in sourcing policies;

(2) Develop a statewide database of local farms that are eligible and interested in supplying food for school meals to facilitate farm-to-school connections;

(3) Increase financial incentives for schools to purchase locally sourced food through grant programs, subsidies, or farm-to-school budget allocations;

(4) Ensure culturally appropriate foods, such as kalo, ʻuala, and ulu, are incorporated into school meal programs; and

(5) Submit a report on its progress, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2026.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the University of Hawaiʻi System, Department of Agriculture, Climate Protectors Hawaii, Kauai Climate Action Coalition, Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau, Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi, Hawaiʻi Youth Food Council, Hawaiʻi Cattlemen's Council, and three individuals. Your Committee received comments from the Department of Education.

Your Committee finds that farm-to-school programs provide an opportunity to increase local food procurement and resilience, reduce Hawaiʻi's reliance on imported goods, and strengthen the State's agricultural economy. Additionally, prioritizing the procurement of locally grown Native Hawaiian crops aligns with Hawaiʻi's commitment to food sovereignty, climate resilience, and indigenous agricultural practices. Your Committee further finds that expanding local farm procurement in farm-to-school initiatives would support Hawaiʻi's small and medium-sized farms and provide stable, institutional markets for Hawaiʻi's farmers. This measure urges the Department of Education to take immediate action to strengthen local farm-to-school initiatives by streamlining the procurement process to make it easier for small and medium-scale farmers to sell to schools, developing a statewide database of interested and eligible farms, increasing financial incentives for schools to purchase locally sourced food, ensure culturally appropriate foods, and submitting a report on its progress and any proposed legislation prior to the Regular Session of 2026.

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 concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 104 and recommends its adoption.

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

____________________________

KIRSTIN KAHALOA, Chair