S.C.R. 114 Summary

• Urges the Department of Education to offer one vegetarian lunch meal based on healthy greens or similar quality fruits and vegetables in all Hawaii public schools at least once weekly.

• Requests the Department of Education introduce a "Meatless Monday" program to inform students about health and environmental benefits of vegetarian diets.

• Cites environmental concerns including that 30% of ice-free land is used for livestock, approximately 1.5 billion cattle produce 70-120 kilograms of methane annually, and methane is over 20 times more harmful than carbon dioxide.

• Notes health benefits of vegetarian diets including reduced risk of diabetes, lower cholesterol, and decreased cardiovascular disease risk.

• Identifies potential economic benefits through increased demand for local greens and promotion of local farming jobs and agriculture.