Lawmakers defer funding request to modernize school kitchens and bolster farm-to‑school goal

The Senate Committee on Education heard testimony and deferred Senate Bill 894 SD1, a bill that would appropriate unspecified general funds to the Department of Education to help reach the state's farm‑to‑school goal of serving 30% locally sourced food in public school meals. The department and witnesses described the request as intended primarily for equipment and kitchen modernization to enable more scratch cooking and to support regional food preparation facilities.

Deputy Superintendent Dean Uchida said the department is not requesting a specific appropriation amount in testimony to the committee because it is still updating an earlier needs assessment and determining which cafeterias or regional kitchens require upgrades. "There was a study done a few years ago, so we're trying to update that right now," Uchida said. He told senators the bill's intent covers potential support for a regional kitchen in the Central District and funding for similar facilities in other complex areas.

Senators repeatedly asked for a clear list of which schools or complex areas would receive upgrades and how the department estimated costs. Several lawmakers said the bill's preamble and funding sections were unclear about whether money would pay for large regional kitchen projects — which carry major capital costs and separate budget processes — or for equipment in individual school cafeterias to enable scratch cooking and warming on site. The Office of the Attorney General and DOE advised that the measure's language needed clarification so it does not duplicate or conflict with other bills that specifically address regional kitchens.

Senators expressed concern about accountability and asked the department to provide a detailed plan and cost estimates before the legislature appropriates significant sums. Members also queried how central kitchens would interact with existing distributor contracts and whether improvements would help DOE meet the 30‑by‑30 target passed into law in 2021.

The committee ultimately deferred the measure to allow further work. The Department of Education said it will continue to refine the facilities assessment and is coordinating with stakeholders, including district staff and partner agencies, to define priorities and costs.

Supporters at the hearing included the Hawaii Farm Bureau and local food policy advocates; the department said it supports the goal and is assessing options to meet the target while working with food distributors to reach planned increases in locally sourced purchases.

The committee recorded the bill as deferred without objection; staff requested a more detailed inventory of equipment needs and a refined cost estimate before the measure is reintroduced for decision making.