HI HB817

Requires each state principal department that purchases produce to ensure a minimum percentage of purchases consist of fresh local agricultural products or local value-added processed agricultural/food products, with benchmarks escalating from 10% by January 1, 2025 to 50% by January 1, 2050.

Establishes specific escalating benchmarks: 10% (2025), 18% (2030), 26% (2035), 34% (2040), 42% (2045), and 50% (2050), measured as a percentage of total food cost.

Requires state departments to submit annual reports to the legislature detailing total produce purchased, local produce purchased, percentage of local purchases, and explanations for any failure to meet benchmarks.

Defines "fresh local agricultural products" as fruits, vegetables, nuts, coffee, eggs, poultry, livestock, milk, aquacultural, maricultural, and horticultural products grown 100% in Hawaii.

Defines "local value-added processed agricultural or food products" as products where at least 51% of the primary agricultural product is grown, raised, and harvested in Hawaii.