Great News!

Posted On: Feb 02, 09

Several farm to school bills have been introduced at the Hawai’i State Legislature. Here’s a list of related bills and links to their status. For now, let your representatives and senators know that you support farm to school in Hawai’i!

SB1179 and HB1434: Directs the University of Hawaii, in cooperation with other public and private entities, to study the feasibility of introducing the farm to school program in Hawaii’s public schools.

HB992: Establishes a farm-to-school nutrition program in the public schools.

SB507 and HB1416: Establishes the farm-to-school program in the department of education to increase the procurement of locally-grown fruits and vegetables. Establishes the Hawaii-grown fresh fruit and vegetable program to increase schoolchildren’s access to Hawaii produce. Establishes the farmers to food banks program.

SB803 and HB794: Requires the department of health, in collaboration with the department of agriculture, department of education, and Hawaii school food service, to develop nutritionally-sound public school menu plans that give students the option of a vegetarian school lunch meal.

SB813 and HB797: Requires public school cafeterias to serve fresh local produce at lunch at least once each week.

SB829 and HB1101: To expand and modify the Hawaii products preferences to create a class IV preference for agricultural products raised, grown, or harvested in the State.

Another Bill for Healthier Schools:
HB1538 Requires public schools to use environmentally-sensitive cleaning and maintenance products. Directs the department of health to establish guidelines and specifications for the products. Requires the state procurement office to maintain a list of vendors who produce, manufacture, or sell environmentally-sensitive products.