Bill > SR122

This resolution urges the Department of Education and the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to work together to create a plan for connecting local farmers with institutions, specifically aligning with the rollout of the AINA Kitchen Network. The AINA Kitchen Network is a significant state investment in local food infrastructure, with the first facility opening soon and more planned statewide to prepare and serve meals to schools. This plan is needed because the Department of Education is far behind its goal of sourcing 30% of school meal ingredients locally by 2030, has faced criticism for systemic failures in tracking and procurement, and has left millions in federal funds for local produce unspent. The resolution calls for the plan to identify specific food needs of the AINA Kitchen Network, assess current local production capacity, develop strategies to help farmers increase production through land, infrastructure, and workforce support, create procurement contracts that offer farmers long-term certainty, establish a timeline with clear goals, and implement a digital system for tracking local food purchases statewide. Additionally, the Department of Education is asked to ensure all federal funding for local produce is fully utilized, and both departments are requested to submit the developed plan, along with financial information and recommendations, to the Legislature by early 2027.

Education

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SR&billnumber=122&year=2026