STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1725

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2021

 

RE:   S.C.R. No. 38

      S.D. 1

 

 

 

 

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Education, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 38, S.D. 1, entitled:

 

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION URGING THE HAWAI‘I STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION SCHOOL FOOD SERVICES BRANCH TO ADOPT AN ADDENDUM TO ITS AGREEMENTS FOR THE ‘AINA PONO HAWAI‘I STATE FARM TO SCHOOL PROGRAM REQUIRING THE PROCUREMENT OF GOODS AND/OR SERVICES FROM FOOD HUBS,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to urge the Department of Education School Food Services Branch to adopt an addendum to its agreements for the Aina Pono Hawaii State Farm To School Program to require the procurement of goods and services from food hubs.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Department of Research and Development of the County of Hawaii, Hawaii Farm Bureau, Hawaii Public Health Institute, and one individual.  Your Committee received testimony in support of the intent of this measure from the Department of Education.

 

     Your Committee finds that Act 218, Session Laws of Hawaii 2015, established a farm to school program within the Department of Agriculture to address the issues of supply, demand, procurement, and consumption of Hawaii-grown foods in state facilities, primarily education facilities, and take reasonable steps to incorporate more agriculture and nutrition education in schools.  Your Committee further finds that the Department of Education and Office of the Lieutenant Governor rebranded the farm to school program as the Aina Pono Hawaii State Farm to School program in 2018 to unite the Department of Education School Food Services Branch's existing health and nutrition education programs, such as Aina Pono Harvest of the Month, test kitchens, meal programs, menu planning, and school gardens.

 

     Your Committee additionally finds that farmers in Hawaii face many obstacles on their way to achieving economic sustainability.  Your Committee notes that food hubs provide these small to mid‑sized farmers and producers with facilities for aggregation, storage, processing, distribution, and marketing support.  This measure seeks to increase the procurement of goods and services from local food hubs by the Department of Education for schools.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Education that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 38, S.D. 1, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance.

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

____________________________

JUSTIN H. WOODSON, Chair