REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO CONVENE A WORKING GROUP TO ADDRESS THE FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF AUDITOR'S REPORT NO. 26-08 REGARDING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF HAWAII'S FARM-TO-SCHOOL AND LOCAL FOOD PROCUREMENT INITIATIVES.

SR127

THE SENATE

S.R. NO.

127

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026

STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE RESOLUTION

REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO CONVENE A
WORKING GROUP TO ADDRESS THE FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF AUDITOR'S REPORT
NO. 26-08 REGARDING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF HAWAII'S FARM-TO-SCHOOL AND LOCAL
FOOD PROCUREMENT INITIATIVES
.

����
WHEREAS, this
body recognizes the importance of strengthening Hawaii's food resilience,
supporting local agriculture, and improving the nutritional quality of school
meals through policies that encourage the procurement of locally grown and
produced foods for public school meal programs; and

����
WHEREAS, the Department
of Education was tasked with meeting goals for increasing the use of locally
sourced food in school meals, including a statutory benchmark that at least ten
percent of food served in public schools be locally sourced, reflecting the
State's commitment to strengthening local food systems and reducing dependence
on imported food; and

����
WHEREAS, the
Auditor issued Auditor's Report No. 26-08, evaluating the Department of
Education's progress in implementing the State's Farm-to-School and local food
procurement policies; and

����
WHEREAS, the
audit identified several systemic challenges that have limited progress toward
the State's goals, including the absence of a comprehensive strategic plan,
limited coordination with local agricultural producers and distributors,
procurement processes that do not readily identify locally sourced products,
and the need for improved data collection and reporting systems; and

����
WHEREAS, the
audit further highlighted the importance of improved coordination between the Department
of Education's meal system and Hawaii's agricultural sector to strengthen food
system resilience while supporting local farmers and producers; and

����
WHEREAS, addressing
these challenges requires collaboration among educators, agricultural
producers, food distributors, policymakers, nutrition professionals, and
community organizations working to strengthen Hawaii's local food systems; now,
therefore,

����
BE IT
RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii,
Regular Session of 2026, that the Department of Education is requested to
convene a Farm-to-School and Local Food Procurement Working Group to review the
findings of Auditor
'
s
Report No. 26-08 and identify strategies for strengthening the Department's ability
to meet its local food procurement goals; and

����
BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that the Working Group is requested to consist of no more than
seventeen members, representing key stakeholder groups involved in the school
food system and local agriculture sector, and include the following
representation:

����
(1)
�
The Administrator of the School Food Services
Branch of the Department of Education, or the Administrator's designee;

����
(2)
�
The Department of Education's Farm-to-School Coordinator,
or an equivalent staff member responsible for local food procurement
initiatives;

����
(3)
�
One representative from the Department of
Agriculture and Biosecurity, to be designated by the Chairperson of the Board
of Agriculture and Biosecurity;

����
(4)
�
One representative from the Department of
Education's Office of Facilities and Operations or procurement administration,
to be designated by the Superintendent of Education;

����
(5)
�
Two representatives of Hawaii agricultural
producers, including at least one farmer currently supplying or seeking to
supply food to institutional buyers, to be invited by the Superintendent of
Education;

����
(6)
�
Two representatives of food distributors or
vendors that supply food to the public school system, to be invited by the
Superintendent of Education;

����
(7)
�
One public school principal, to be invited by
the Superintendent of Education;

����
(8)
�
One public school cafeteria manager or food
service supervisor, to be invited by the Superintendent of Education;

����
(9)
�
Two representatives of child nutrition or
school nutrition professionals, including individuals with expertise in federal
school meal program administration, to be invited by the Superintendent of
Education;

���
(10)
�
Three representatives of nonprofit or
community organizations engaged in farm-to-school, food system development, or
agricultural education initiatives in Hawaii, to be invited by the
Superintendent of Education;

���
(11)
�
One member of the House of Representatives, to
be designated by the Speaker of the House; and

���
(12)
�
One member of the Senate, to be designated by
the President of the Senate; and

����
BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that the Working Group is requested to review and discuss the findings
of Auditor's Report No. 26-08 and identify practical strategies to:

����
(1)
�
Improve the collection, accuracy, and
reporting of data regarding locally sourced food in public school meals;

����
(2)
�
Identify procurement practices that better
support the identification and purchase of locally produced food items while
maintaining compliance with applicable procurement laws and federal program
requirements;

����
(3)
�
Strengthen coordination between the Department
of Education and Hawaii's agricultural sector;

����
(4)
�
Identify opportunities to strengthen local
food supply chains capable of serving public schools; and

����
(5)
�
Provide recommendations for administrative or
legislative actions that may help the Department of Education meet its local
food procurement goals; and

����
BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that the Department of Education is requested to submit a report to
the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular
Session of 2027 summarizing the Working Group's discussions, including any
findings, recommendations, and proposed legislation; and

����
BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Superintendent
of Education, Chairperson of the Board of Education, and Chairperson of the
Board of Agriculture and Biosecurity.

OFFERED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:
�

Department
of Education; Farm-To-School; Local Food Procurement; Working Group