SR123 Summary

• Request the Department of Agriculture to develop a Sustainable Food Security Strategic Plan in consultation with the Department of Transportation, Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, Office of Homeland Security, and interisland cargo water carriers.

• Establish five goals for the plan: increase efficient use of renewable resources for Hawaii's food and farm sector; increase sustainable local diversified agriculture for local consumption; increase economic viability of local farm operations; improve access to local sustainably produced foods; and improve biosecurity.

• Require the Department of Agriculture to submit annual reports to the Legislature no later than twenty days before each Regular Session beginning in 2020, containing findings, recommendations, and any proposed legislation regarding the plan's development.

• Cite Hawaii's current food security vulnerability: the state spends approximately $3 billion annually importing 85-90 percent of its food and maintains only a 3-7 day food supply when mainland shipments are delayed.

• Reference the Governor's goal to double local food production by 2020 and note the state's natural agricultural resources and lands available for increasing food production.