Bill > HR107

This resolution urges the Hawaii Department of Education (DOE) to provide a comprehensive, detailed report to the Legislature about the true cost of producing school meals, with the goal of ensuring financial transparency and preventing unnecessary price increases. The resolution highlights concerns about proposed meal price increases that would raise lunch costs from $2.50 to $4.75 for elementary students and from $2.75 to $5.00 for high school students by the 2028-2029 school year, especially given that the DOE currently estimates the cost of producing a student lunch at $9.00. The requested report must include specific cost breakdowns for the 2024-2025 school year and projections for 2025-2026 and 2026-2027, detailing expenses such as ingredients (including local sourcing), operational costs, beverage costs, materials, and distribution logistics. Additionally, the report must provide comprehensive data on meal types, including full-price, reduced-price, and free meals, along with total meal numbers and associated costs. The DOE is requested to submit this report no later than twenty days before the 2026 Regular Legislative Session, with the ultimate aim of addressing food insecurity and maintaining affordable meal access for Hawaii's students.

Education

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HR&billnumber=107&year=2025