HI SCR135

Requests the Department of Education to convene a Farm-to-School and Local Food Procurement Working Group to address findings from Auditor's Report No. 26-08 on Hawaii's school food procurement initiatives.

The audit identified systemic challenges including lack of a comprehensive strategic plan, limited coordination with local agricultural producers, procurement processes that don't readily identify local products, and inadequate data collection and reporting systems.

The working group would consist of up to 17 members including DOE officials, the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, agricultural producers, food distributors, school administrators, nutrition professionals, nonprofit representatives, and one legislator from each chamber.

Hawaii has a statutory benchmark requiring at least 10% of food served in public schools be locally sourced to reduce dependence on imported food and support local farmers.

The Department of Education must submit a report to the Legislature at least 20 days before the 2027 Regular Session summarizing the working group's findings, recommendations, and proposed legislation.