HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	2083
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2024		H.D. 3
STATE OF HAWAII		S.D. 1

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO SCHOOL MEALS.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that setting a target goal of thirty per cent of food served in public schools to consist of locally sourced products, as established pursuant to Act 175, Session Laws of Hawaii 2021, is of great benefit for the health of Hawaii's students.  The legislature believes that establishing a recognition program that incentivizes schools to plan for and meet the farm to school meals goal will ensure that the goal will be met by 2030.

     The legislature further finds that the average meat and dairy products served in schools are highly processed and treated with antibiotics and growth hormones, which can impact health outcomes.  Additionally, the agricultural industry, including produce, animals, and grain, generates approximately one fourth of all greenhouse gas emissions.

     The legislature additionally finds that a plant-based diet has been shown to reduce the chance of developing diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancers, among other things.  Offering a variety of diets, including plant-based meals, can also greatly increase demand for local greens and promote local farming jobs and agriculture.  Providing plant-based meals to students can promote not only a healthy lifestyle for the State's youth but encourage students to make environmentally conscious personal decisions.

     The purpose of this Act is to:

     (1)  Require the department of education to establish a recognition program to incentivize schools to submit to the department of education a plan for the school to reach the local farm to school meal goal of thirty per cent of food served in the school to consist of locally sourced products by 2030; and

     (2)  Authorize the department of education to establish a plant-based meal pilot program at Mililani high school to provide a plant-based meal as an option under the school meals program.

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 302A, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part II, subpart C, to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§302A-    Farm to school meals; recognition program.  (a)  The department shall establish a recognition program to incentivize individual department schools to submit to the department a plan for the school to reach the local farm to school meal goal of thirty per cent of food served in the school to consist of locally sourced products by 2030, established pursuant to section 302A-405.6.

     (b)  The department shall establish guidelines for the recognition program, including what incentives to offer and awards to grant to schools who commit to and reach the local farm to school meal goals; provided that the department may accept donations and contributions made by private individuals or organizations for the recognition program."

     SECTION 3.  (a)  No later than the 2025-2026 school year, the department of education may establish a plant-based meal pilot program at Mililani high school to provide a plant-based meal as an option under the school meals program.

     (b)  As part of the pilot program, the department of education may establish a day within the school week at Mililani high school to provide plant-based options for school meals.

     (c)  If the department of education establishes a plant-based meal pilot program pursuant to subsection (a), the department shall:

     (1)  Submit an interim report on the progress of the plant-based meal pilot program to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2026; and

     (2)  Submit a final report on the plant-based meal pilot program, including any findings, recommendations, and proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2027.

     (d)  Any plant-based meal pilot program established pursuant to subsection (a) shall cease to exist on June 30, 2026.

     (e)  For the purposes of this section, "plant-based meal" means a meal consisting of all minimally processed fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts and seeds, herbs, and spices and that excludes all animal products, including red meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and dairy products.

     SECTION 4.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 5.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 3000.

 

 

Report Title:

Department of Education; Farm to School Meals; Recognition Program; Department Schools; School Meals; Plant-based Option; Mililani High School Pilot Program

 

Description:

Requires the Department of Education to establish a recognition program to incentivize schools to submit to the Department a plan for the school to reach the local farm to school meal goal of thirty per cent of food served in the school to consist of locally sourced products by 2030.  Authorizes the Department of Education to establish a plant-based meal pilot program at Mililani high school no later than the 2025-2026 school year.  Effective 7/1/3000.  (SD1)

 

 

 

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