HI SCR38

Urges the Hawaii Department of Education School Food Services Branch to adopt an addendum to the 'Āina Pono Hawaiʻi state farm to school program requiring procurement of goods and services from food hubs.

Directs the Department of Education to include food hubs as part of the overall procurement strategy for the 'Āina Pono program, though procurement from food hubs is not required to be exclusive.

Recognizes that food hubs support small to mid-sized farmers by providing facilities for aggregation, storage, processing, distribution, and marketing support.

Notes that the Department of Education serves over 100,000 nutritionally balanced meals daily and that farm-to-school activities improve student health outcomes and academic performance.

Requires certified copies of the resolution be transmitted to the Board of Education Chair, Superintendent of Education, Board of Agriculture Chair, State Procurement Office Administrator, School Food Services Branch Director, and State Charter Commission Executive Director.