HI SR39

Department of Health's Healthy Hawaii Initiative requested to convene a School Gardens Task Force to determine how to expand school gardens programs statewide.

Task Force to include representatives from Department of Health, Department of Agriculture, Department of Education, University of Hawai'i College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, University of Hawaii community colleges culinary arts programs, and nine non-profit and independent school organizations.

Task Force must report findings and recommendations to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the Regular Session of 2012, including recommendations for legislation and funding.

Resolution cites that 28 percent of Hawaii school-aged children are overweight or obese and 19 percent of Hawaii residents live in food insecure households.

Farm to school programs like school gardens have proven successful in supplying high quality food and enhancing student educational experiences while cultivating healthy long-term habits.