Bill > SB988

This bill transfers the Hawaii Child Nutrition Programs (HCNP) from the Department of Education to the Department of Agriculture, establishing it as a new agency with specific purposes and responsibilities. The agency will serve as a link between the United States Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Services and local program operators, conducting audits, providing technical assistance, and disbursing federal funds. The bill creates a grant program administered by the HCNP to support public schools, with grants focused on purchasing locally grown food products, acquiring equipment for food preparation, providing professional development about nutrition and farm-to-school connections, and offering technical assistance to increase participation in federal child nutrition programs. The grants will prioritize educational activities that promote healthy food, have clear educational objectives, involve parents or the community, connect to farm-to-school procurement, and market Hawaii-grown products. The bill ensures that current employees of the HCNP will retain their civil service status and benefits during the transfer, and all existing appropriations, records, and equipment related to the program will be transferred to the Department of Agriculture. An appropriation will be made to fund these grants for the 2025-2026 school year, with the entire act taking effect on July 1, 2025.

Education

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=988&year=2026