HB1566 Summary

• Establishes the Hawaii Farm to Food Bank Program administered by the Office of Community Services within the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to distribute locally-grown food to low-income and unemployed residents.

• Creates the Hawaii Food Assistance Program Special Fund to receive appropriations, legislative allocations, gifts, donations, grants, and interest accrued from fund balances.

• Directs food banks receiving funds to purchase, store, and transport food that is 100% grown, raised, and harvested in Hawaii for free distribution to recipients.

• Appropriates $5,000,000 from the general fund for fiscal year 2022-2023 to the special fund, with the Office of Community Services retaining 10% for administrative costs.

• Exempts the Hawaii Food Assistance Program Special Fund from central service assessments and procurement requirements under chapters 103D and 103F.