Bill Text: HI SB2307 | 2018 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Relating To The Hawaii Farm To School Program.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 6-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2018-01-22 - Referred to EDU/AEN, WAM. [SB2307 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2018-SB2307-Introduced.html

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THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	2307
TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2018
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

relating to the hawaii farm to school program.

 

 

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

 

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that farm to school programs benefit students in multiple ways.  They provide students with agricultural education, which contributes to improved attendance, academic achievement, and behavior; while also increasing opportunities for place-based experiential learning, physical activity, and active participation in the school meal program.

     In addition, farm to school program activities support a nutritious school food environment that encourages students to make healthier choices.  With more than eighty-five per cent of students in Hawaii attending public schools, participation in farm to school activities increases students’ familiarity with local foods and their access to fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as increases the likelihood that students will make healthier choices at home.

     The legislature further finds that concrete steps have been taken in recent years to develop and sustain a farm to school program in the State.  The Hawaii farm to school program was established pursuant to Act 218, Session Laws of Hawaii 2015 (Act 218), to, among other things, improve student health, develop an educated agricultural workforce, and expand the relationship between public schools and the agricultural community.  Act 10, Session Laws of Hawaii 2017, established the month of October as "Farm to School Month in Hawaii" to promote public awareness of the State's farm to school initiative through coordinated activities and resources connecting schools and local farms.

     Since the passage of Act 218, the department of education, in collaboration with the office of the lieutenant governor, department of agriculture, University of Hawaii, and community partners, established pilot programs using strategic procurement adjustments to increase the supply of locally-grown and raised foods in the school meal program.

     The legislature finds that the continued growth and sustainability of the Hawaii farm to school program will require on-going coordination between the department of agriculture and the department of education.  The purpose of this Act is to establish a farm to school program and farm to school staff positions within the department of education to work with the farm to school coordinator in the department of agriculture to grow and sustain the Hawaii farm to school program.

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

     "§302A-    Farm to school program.  (a)  The department may establish a farm to school program to:

     (1)  Expand student opportunities for farm-based and school garden education;

     (2)  Increase the procurement of locally-grown foods for the school meal program; and

     (3)  Support coordination between the department and the department of agriculture on farm to school activities and initiatives.

     (b)  Any farm to school program established within the department shall be managed by department staff, one of whom shall be designated the department's farm to school coordinator, who shall work in collaboration with the head of the Hawaii farm to school program established within the department of agriculture under section 141-11."

     SECTION 3.  Section 141-11, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

     "[[]§141-11[]]  Hawaii farm to school program; farm to school coordinator.  (a)  There is established within the department of agriculture a Hawaii farm to school program.  The purpose of the farm to school program shall be to:

     (1)  Improve student health;

     (2)  Develop an educated agricultural workforce;

     (3)  Enrich the local food system through the support and increase of local food procurement for the State's public schools and other institutions;

     (4)  Accelerate garden and farm-based education for the State's public school students; and

     (5)  Expand the relationships between public schools and agricultural communities.

     (b)  The Hawaii farm to school program shall be headed by a farm to school coordinator who shall work in collaboration with the appropriate stakeholders to address the issues of supply, demand, procurement, and consumption of Hawaii-grown foods in state facilities, primarily education facilities, and take reasonable steps to incorporate more agriculture and nutrition education in schools.

     (c)  The farm to school coordinator shall work in collaboration with the department of education on any farm to school program established by the department of education pursuant to section 302A-  ."

     SECTION 4.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $114,336 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2018-2019 for the establishment of two full-time equivalent (2.0 FTE) farm to school staff positions in the department of education.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of education for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 5.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 6.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2018.

 

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

 

 

Report Title:

Keiki Caucus; Hawaii Farm to School Program; Department of Education; Appropriation

 

Description:

Authorizes the Department of Education to establish a farm to school program.  Requires the farm to school coordinator in the department of agriculture to work in collaboration with the department of education on any farm to school program.  Establishes two FTE farm to school staff positions within the department of education.  Appropriates funds.

 

 

 

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.