Senate Resolution 57 Summary

• Requests the Department of Agriculture to establish a Sustainable Food Systems Working Group with 15 specified members including government agencies, legislators, university representatives, and community organizations.

• The working group chair is the Deputy to the Chairperson of the Board of Agriculture, and members include representatives from Health, Business/Economic Development, Planning/Sustainable Development, Climate Change Commission, University of Hawaii, Hawaii Appleseed Center, Hawaii Foodbank, Farm to School Hui, Hawaii Foodservice Alliance, and Hawaii Investment Ready.

• Directs the working group to develop an interagency food systems plan addressing seven planning themes including food as a human right, social equity, resilience, sustainability, circular economy, education/workforce development, and governance.

• The plan must also address 18 planning elements including public health, food security, land access, disaster preparedness, ecological sustainability, economic development, sustainable fisheries, and fair labor practices with scientific indicators and metrics to track progress.

• Requires the working group to submit the completed interagency food systems plan and implementation recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than 20 days before the 2025 Regular Session convenes.