HI SB549

Establishes a recognition program requiring the Department of Education to incentivize individual public schools to submit plans for reaching the 30% locally sourced food goal by 2030, as established in Act 175, Session Laws of Hawaii 2021.

Requires the Department of Education to establish guidelines for the recognition program, including determining what incentives to award to schools that commit to and achieve the local farm to school meal goals.

Mandates all Department of Education high schools provide a plant-based meal option as part of the school meals program.

Allows Department of Education high schools to establish one exclusive plant-based meal day per week, if desired.

Requires individual high schools to establish guidelines (subject to Department approval) incorporating nutritional standards, menu planning, and staffing to implement plant-based meal options.