Bill Text: HI HB443 | 2022 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: Relating To School Food Programs.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 11-0)
Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2021-12-10 - Carried over to 2022 Regular Session. [HB443 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2022-HB443-Amended.html
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
443 |
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THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2021 |
H.D. 1 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO SCHOOL FOOD PROGRAMS.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that approximately fifty‑one per cent of children in public schools in Hawaii qualify for federally supported free and reduced lunch programs and live in households that are food insecure. Most children in public schools do not eat the daily recommended allowance of fresh fruits and vegetables or whole grains, and their diets include too many empty calories and high sodium levels. Often this is because local families cannot afford to feed their children nutritious food; workers in Hawaii have the lowest average income in the United States and Hawaii is one of the most expensive states in which to live, with food costing over sixty-one per cent more than in the rest of the country.
The legislature also finds that many health issues in children are closely related to lack of nutritious food. Short attention spans and lower academic performance are associated with undernourished children, whether this is the result of hunger or poor diet quality. Moderating fat intake and increasing the amount and variety of fruits and vegetables children eat have been highlighted as integral to improving student nutrition and academic performance. Further, introducing breakfast, snack, and supper programs that are connected to fresh, local farm produce ensures that children have access to adequate and nutritious meals at regular intervals to support their work in class and at home.
The legislature further finds that farm-to-school programs generally increase participation in school food services by students and school faculty. Higher participation can lead to increased revenue for local food service operations through the national school lunch program and reimbursements from the federal government for breakfast, snack, and supper programs. Additionally, efforts show that cafeteria production planning with regional growers can provide greater control over budgeting and increased fiscal rigor. The farm-to-school work being done nationally, along with the Aina Pono pilot project, demonstrate that farm-to-school programs can provide increased revenue and a consistent, three-season market to local growers. Many farm‑to‑school programs also include an educational component that teaches children and their families about locally produced food and the farmers who grow it; this can further encourage families to "buy local" via retail and farmers' markets.
The purpose of this Act is to require the department of education to conduct a comprehensive cost analysis of the department's food services and student meal programs in order to make recommendations regarding the ways in which the department can increase the use of locally grown agricultural products.
SECTION 2. (a) No later than September 30, 2021, the department of education shall conduct a comprehensive cost analysis of the department's food services and student meal programs.
(b) The cost analysis shall identify strengths and weaknesses within the department of education's food services and student meal programs, including but not limited to the cost of:
(1) Increasing the use of locally grown agricultural products in food services and student meal programs;
(2) Reducing reliance on imported agricultural products and other food imports for food services and student meal programs;
(3) Empowering complex area and school-level administrators with greater authority in purchasing and decision-making over food services; and
(4) Instituting new data and food service delivery systems necessary for decentralizing the governance of food services and student meal programs.
(c) In conducting the cost analysis, the department of education shall employ a triple bottom line approach that evaluates the social, environmental, and financial costs and benefits of activities related to food services and student meal programs.
(d) The department of education shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2022.
(e) The department of education shall invite a representative from the cost analysis team to brief the members of the legislature once the written report is finalized.
SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2050.
Report Title:
Department of Education; Food Services; Student Meals Program; Local Agricultural Products; Cost Analysis
Description:
Requires the department of education conduct a comprehensive cost analysis of the department's food services and student meals programs to, in part, increase the use of locally grown agricultural products. Requires a report to the legislature. Effective 7/1/2050. (HD1)
The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
