Bill > SB693

This bill seeks to continue funding the Food Hub Pilot Program, which was originally established by Act 313 in 2022 to support local food security and agricultural development in Hawaii. The legislature recognizes that food hubs—centralized facilities that help aggregate, store, process, distribute, and market locally produced food—can play a critical role in expanding market access for small and mid-sized producers and improving food access in underserved areas. To support this initiative, the bill appropriates $1,500,000 for each of the fiscal years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027, to be administered by the Department of Agriculture. These funds will be used to provide financial assistance to qualifying food hubs, helping them launch or expand their operations and ultimately strengthen the state's local food system. By supporting food hubs, the bill aims to increase local food production, improve food security, and create more opportunities for local farmers and producers to bring their products to market.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Budget and Finance

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=693&year=2025