HI SB894

Appropriates funds to the Department of Education for statewide regional kitchen expansion to help meet the mandated goal of 30% locally sourced products in school meals by 2030, currently at only 6.14%

Provides funding in fiscal year 2025-2026 for expansion of the Whitmore regional kitchen on Oahu and feasibility analyses for additional sites: one more on Oahu (40,000 meals/day), two on Hawaii Island (12,000 and 15,000 meals/day), one on Maui (18,000 meals/day), and one on Kauai (12,000 meals/day)

Allocates fiscal year 2026-2027 funds for further planning, design, and land acquisition for the identified regional kitchen sites across all four counties

Aims to stimulate local agriculture by creating a statewide system of regional kitchens that would provide market demand for products including rice from Kauai, pork from Oahu, produce from Maui, and beef and dairy from Hawaii Island

Effective date set as July 1, 3000 (placeholder date indicating amounts to be determined)