REQUESTING HAWAII'S CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION TO PETITION THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE TO ADDRESS THE DELAY IN UPDATING SCHOOL LUNCH NUTRITION STANDARDS.

HR52

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.R. NO.

52

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026

STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE RESOLUTION

REQUESTING
HAWAII'S CONGRESSIONAL
DELEGATION TO PETITION THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE TO ADDRESS
THE Delay in updating school lunch nutrition standards
.

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WHEREAS, by
law, the United States Department of Agriculture is required to update the
School Nutrition Standards to be in accordance with the latest version of the
Dietary Guidelines for Americans; and

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WHEREAS, the
United States Department of Agriculture did not release their updated
requirements to the School Nutrition Standards to be in accordance with the
2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans until 2024; and

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WHEREAS, this
has brought many questions and comments by school food service directors, as
this change was set to fully go into effect in the 2025-2026 school year and
extend to school years beyond; and

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WHEREAS,
despite these recent changes, the newest Dietary Guidelines for Americans which
covers 2025-2030 has been released, indicating that there will be more changes
to come from the United States Department of Agriculture; and

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WHEREAS,
during a session hosted by the United States Department of Agriculture, the
Acting Associate Administrator for Child Nutrition Programs and Food and
Nutrition Services Chief Policy Advisor could not give much information about
the changes to come; and

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WHEREAS, this
lag in updating nutrition standards poses a serious issue for Hawaii public
schools to develop school lunch menus, as well as to fulfill the legislative
mandate to source thirty per cent of school food locally by 2030; and

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WHEREAS, in
2024, only 5.43% of school food spending went toward Hawai�i-grown products
which is a significant difference in percentage from the 2030 Hawai�i�s Farm to
School goal; now, therefore,

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BE IT
RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-third Legislature of the
State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2026, that Hawaii's congressional delegation
is requested to petition the United States Department of Agriculture to address
the delay in updating school lunch nutrition standards; and

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BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the members
of Hawaii's congressional delegation and Chairperson of the Board of
Agriculture.

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title:
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USDA;
School Nutrition Standards; Farm to School