HI SR96

Designates October of each year as "Farm to School Month" in Hawaii to strengthen and support farm to school initiatives in schools.

Recognizes that farm to school initiatives connect schools and local farms to serve healthy meals, improve student nutrition, reduce childhood obesity, and provide educational opportunities like school gardens and farm field trips.

Notes that farm to school programs provide students access to fresh local foods while supporting local farmers and creating community connections to healthy food producers.

References Act 218, Session Laws of Hawaii 2015, which invested in developing a coordinated statewide farm to school initiative, and aligns with the 2010 national designation of October as "National Farm to School Month."

Requires certified copies be sent to the Governor, Superintendent of Education, Chairperson of the Board of Agriculture, Dean of the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, and the Hawaii Farm to School and School Garden Hui.