Hawaii-2018-SB2928-Amended

SECTION 1. (a) There is established within the department of agriculture a three-year farm to school grant pilot program. The department of agriculture shall collaborate with the department of education, department of health, public charter schools, the University of Hawaii college of tropical agriculture and human resources, and farm to school stakeholders to provide grants to the following eligible entities:

(1) Public schools within the department of education;

(2) Public charter schools;

(3) Publicly funded early care and education centers;

(4) Nonprofit organizations;

(5) Soil and water conservation districts organized pursuant to chapter 180, Hawaii Revised Statutes; and

(6) Farmers, ranchers, and other food vendors registered with the department of agriculture's Hawaii farm to school program.

(b) An eligible entity may apply to the department of agriculture for a grant to support:

(1) Procurement of foods produced or processed in the State that meet the Hawaii products preference requirements of section 103D-1002, Hawaii Revised Statutes;

(2) Food-based, agriculture-based, farm-based, and school garden-based educational and apprenticeship activities;

(3) Initiatives to sustain or expand existing farm to school programs; or

(4) Food safety and good agricultural practices training and implementation.

(c) An entity that receives a grant shall use the moneys for costs directly associated with the approved activities, including labor and professional fees for employees or contractors, professional development and relevant teacher substitute costs, training expenses, travel costs, and necessary supplies and equipment purchased for the activities.

(d) The department of agriculture shall collaborate with the department of education, the department of health, public charter schools, and other farm to school stakeholders to develop and adopt rules under chapter 91, Hawaii Revised Statutes, necessary to implement the farm to school grant pilot program, including but not limited to:

(1) Rules establishing the amounts of grants to be awarded;

(2) Procedures for applying for grants; and

(3) Criteria for awarding grants, which shall include:

(A) A preference for entities that propose activities that:

(i) Are well designed;

(ii) Promote healthy food activities;

(iii) Have clear educational objectives;

(iv) Involve parents and the community;

(v) Expand agricultural career pathways;

(vi) Increase local food production in communities;

(vii) Are connected to existing farm to school procurement activities; and

(viii) Are culturally relevant to the students being served by the grant moneys;

(B) Among the selected grant recipients, representation of a variety of school sizes and geographic locations; and

(C) Among the selected grant recipients, service of a high percentage of children who qualify for free or reduced price school meals under the United States Department of Agriculture's National School Lunch Program.

SECTION 2. The Hawaii farm to school coordinator shall submit a report to the legislature on the value and outcome of the farm to school grant pilot project, and any recommendations regarding the program, including proposed legislation, no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2021.

SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2018-2019 for the farm to school grant pilot program to provide grants to recipients of the farm to school grant pilot program.

SECTION 4. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2018-2019 for the continuance of the Hawaii farm to school program, to be allocated as follows:

(1) $ for one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) farm to school coordinator position; and

(2) $ for administrative expenses for the Hawaii farm to school program.

SECTION 5. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2018-2019 to assist farmers, ranchers, and other food vendors registered with the Hawaii farm to school program in acquiring good agricultural practices certifications from the United States Department of Agriculture.

SECTION 6. The sums appropriated by sections 3 through 5 of this Act shall be expended by the department of agriculture for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 7. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2050, and shall be repealed on June 30, 2021.

Report Title:

Agriculture; DOA; Hawaii Farm to School Program; Farm to School Grant Pilot Program; Appropriation

Description:

Establishes and appropriates funds for a Farm to School Grant Pilot Program within the Hawaii Department of Agriculture to provide grants to schools, early care and education centers, nonprofits, soil and water conservation districts, and food producers participating in the Hawaii Farm to School Program. Requires the Hawaii Farm to School Coordinator to submit a report to the Legislature. Makes appropriations to continue the Hawaii Farm to School Program and Coordinator position and to assist farmers and ranchers achieve Good Agricultural Practices Certification from the United States Department of Agriculture. Repeals on 6/30/2021. (SB2928 HD1)

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

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	2928
TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2018		S.D. 2
STATE OF HAWAII		H.D. 1