HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.R. NO.	190
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2024
STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE RESOLUTION

 

 

REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE TO ESTABLISH A SUSTAINABLE FOOD SYSTEMS WORKING GROUP TO DEVELOP AN INTERAGENCY FOOD SYSTEMS PLAN.

 

 

     WHEREAS, food security is a critical issue in the State; and

 

     WHEREAS, the State imports eight-five percent of its food, making it vulnerable to natural and man-made disasters; and

 

     WHEREAS, the State should be proactive in making its local food production more resilient; and

 

     WHEREAS, a sustainable food system is a food system in which producers, retailers, community members, non-governmental organizations, and government agencies partner to create a vibrant and resilient local food economy that enhances and sustains the environmental, economic, and social health of the community; and

 

     WHEREAS, the development of a sustainable food system for the State would support "green" job creation, sustainable economic development, land stewardship, and climate change resiliency; and

 

     WHEREAS, a coordinated food systems plan lead by key stakeholders across the State is critical to develop a sustainable and equitable food economy; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-second Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2024, that the Department of Agriculture is requested to establish a Sustainable Food Systems Working Group to develop an interagency food systems plan; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Chairperson of the Board of Agriculture, or the Chairperson's designee, and the Director of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, or the Director's designee, are requested to serve as co-chairpersons of the Sustainable Food Systems Working Group; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that one member of the House of Representatives, to be selected by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and one member of the Senate, to be selected by the President of the Senate, are requested to collaboratively select and invite one representative with knowledge in each of the following areas to serve as working group members:

 

     (1)  Food as a human right and healthy food for all;

 

     (2)  Social equity and food justice;

 

     (3)  Food system resilience;

 

     (4)  Agriculture and food system sustainability;

 

     (5)  Food at the center of a circular economy;

 

     (6)  Sustainable education, workforce development, and fair labor; and

 

     (7)  Good food governance; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the interagency food systems plan is requested to:

 

     (1)  Be linked to the United Nations sustainable development goals for a more sustainable, resilient local food economy that enhances and sustains the environment, economic, and social health of the community;

 

     (2)  Identify a governance structure;

 

     (3)  Include a plan for implementation;

 

     (4)  Address the following:

 

          (A)  Food as a human right and healthy food for all;

 

          (B)  Social equity and food justice;

 

          (C)  Food system resilience;

 

          (D)  Agriculture and food system sustainability;

 

          (E)  Food at the center of a circular economy;

 

          (F)  Sustainable education, workforce development, and fair labor; and

 

          (G)  Good food governance; and

 

     (5)  Incorporate any county food access plans; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Sustainable Food Systems Working Group is requested to submit the interagency food systems plan and its recommendations for the implementation of the plan, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2025; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Agriculture is requested to provide any necessary administrative support, including support for the preparation of the interagency food systems plan, to the Sustainable Food Systems Working Group; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Sustainable Food Systems Working Group is requested to be dissolved on June 30, 2025; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Chairperson of the Board of Agriculture and Director of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism.

 

 

 

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

 

 

 

Report Title: 

Department of Agriculture; Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; Sustainable Food Systems Working Group; Interagency Food Systems Plan; Report