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House committee passes resolutions urging DOE to strengthen farm-to-school programs
Summary
The House Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems passed HCR 104 and HR 100 on April 1, 2025, urging the Department of Education to bolster farm-to-school initiatives; university, agriculture and cattlemen's representatives testified in support and discussed capacity and coordination with DOE.
The House Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems voted April 1 to pass HCR 104 and its companion HR 100, resolutions urging the Department of Education to strengthen farm-to-school initiatives and to coordinate with regional kitchen projects.
The resolutions, passed during the committee's decision-making session after public testimony, were adopted on a voice vote with Chair Kirsten Kahaloha and Vice Chair Matthias Kush voting aye; Representative Loewen and Representative Peruso also voted aye. Representative Quinlan was excused.
University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources Dean Parvinder Grewal told the committee the college strongly supports the measure. Grewal said farm-to-school programs can help build a more resilient local food system and encourage more farmers to produce for local needs, and that pairing farm-to-school work with the regional kitchen project increases the initiative's viability. "We will provide all the necessary training to the farmers and help DOE in determining and sourcing food from the local farmers," Grewal said.
Cedric Gates, speaking for the state Department of Agriculture, also expressed strong support and made the department available for questions. Nicole Galassi of the Hawaii Cattlemen's Council stood on written testimony in support. Committee staff reported 11 testifiers registered in support of the resolutions, none in opposition, and one comment on the record.
During questioning, committee members asked whether the Department of Education had already been working with the university. Grewal said CTAHR "has been working closely with them on multiple projects" and reiterated the college would provide training and sourcing assistance. Committee members also asked about extension staff capacity; Grewal said current extension agents should be adequate in the near term because it will take several years for kitchens to source local food, but CTAHR has requested additional staff positions in a separate measure to avoid overburdening current agents.
The committee record notes that the chair recommended passing both measures "as is." The recommendation was adopted.
The resolutions do not appropriate funds; witnesses described this action as a policy-level request for the Department of Education to increase coordination and use of local producers. The record does not specify any required next steps or timelines for DOE implementation.
