Bill > SB549

This bill establishes two key initiatives for Hawaii's Department of Education (DOE) high schools: a recognition program to incentivize local farm-to-school meal goals and a requirement to provide plant-based meal options. The recognition program will encourage schools to develop plans to source 30% of their food locally by 2030, with the DOE creating guidelines and incentives for schools that meet this target. Additionally, all DOE high schools will be required to offer a plant-based meal option, with the flexibility to potentially dedicate a specific day of the week to exclusively plant-based meals. The legislation is motivated by several factors, including promoting student health, supporting local agriculture, accommodating dietary preferences, and ensuring nutritional equity. The bill notes that plant-based diets can reduce risks of chronic diseases, and that offering diverse meal options can help students with specific dietary needs feel more included. Schools will be allowed to develop individual guidelines for implementing these plant-based meal options, subject to DOE approval, and must incorporate nutritional guidelines, menu planning, and staffing considerations. The bill is set to take effect upon approval, building on previous legislation (Act 175 from 2021) that originally set the local food sourcing goal.

Education

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=549&year=2025