HI SCR38

Requests the Office of the Lieutenant Governor to establish a multi-stakeholder task force to advance state procurement of locally produced food, including representatives from the State Procurement Office, Department of Education's Āina Pono, food hub operators, family and small-scale farmers, Department of Agriculture, Department of Health, and agricultural advocacy groups.

Task force must develop a framework to increase regional sourcing of local food through food hubs, cooperatives, and family and small-scale farmers.

Task force must measure the number of family and small-scale farm livelihoods that benefit from state purchases of locally produced foods and establish mechanisms to promote contracts with producers and ensure timely payments.

Task force must identify supports and resources needed to develop, expand, and connect Hawaii's local food production and distribution, and establish a clear and flexible structure for exclusively local food operators.

Requires certified copies be transmitted to the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Chief Procurement Officer, Board of Education leadership, Board of Agriculture leadership, Director of Health, Hawaii Farm Bureau President, and Hawaii Farmers Union United President.