HI HCR108

Requests the Department of Education to submit a report to the Legislature by twenty days prior to the 2027 Regular Session on farm-to-school program implementation, local food procurement levels, and alignment with regional kitchen investments

Report must include baseline local procurement data broken down by complex area, island, and product categories (produce, protein, value-added items), along with trends over time

Requires assessment of participation in USDA farm-to-school grant programs, including explanation of any barriers to participation and a forward plan for future grant cycles

Report must identify barriers to local purchasing and recommend administrative or statutory changes to enable expanded participation by small- and mid-sized farms

Requests near-term (up to one year) and mid-term (one to three years) action plans with staffing, technical assistance, and funding needs, coordinated with the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, Agribusiness Development Corporation, and Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism