Bill > HR86

This resolution urges the Department of Education and the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to collaborate on a plan to connect local farmers with institutions, specifically aligning with the rollout of the AINA Kitchen Network, a statewide initiative to build regional kitchens for processing and distributing locally sourced food for schools. The plan must identify the specific food items the AINA Kitchen Network will need at each stage of its development, assess current local production capacity and the gap between supply and demand, and outline strategies to help farmers increase their production through support for land, infrastructure, and workforce development. It also calls for a procurement contract structure that offers farmers long-term certainty for investment, a timeline with clear milestones, and the implementation of a centralized digital system to track local food purchases across schools, replacing current manual record-keeping. Furthermore, the resolution encourages the full use of federal funds for local produce, such as the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program, and requires the departments to submit the coordinated plan to the Legislature by early 2027, detailing findings, recommendations, proposed legislation, and federal funding utilization.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Education

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HR&billnumber=86&year=2026