HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.C.R. NO.

44

TWENTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2002

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 
   


HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

urging the department of education to encourage the development and use of food gardens as a teaching tool in elementary schools.

 

 

WHEREAS, fruits and vegetables promote good health because they are low in fat and calories, and contain:

(1) No cholesterol;

(2) Fiber;

(3) Numerous essential nutrients, including vitamins and minerals; and

(4) Phytochemicals which may provide additional protection against the risk of cancer and heart disease;

and

WHEREAS, the Department of Health (DOH) is striving to increase public awareness of the importance of eating five or more servings of fruits and vegetables per day for better health; and

WHEREAS, nutritious food is a fundamental necessity for both children and adults; and

WHEREAS, many children and adults would not presently know how to grow their own food in the event of a famine, national emergency, or other social upheaval; and

WHEREAS, various local organizations such as the Hawaii Organic Farming Association, Nutrition and Physical Activity Committee of the American Cancer Society, 5-a-Day Coalition of DOH, Obesity Coalition of the American Heart Association, and the Vegetarian Society of Hawaii all have the educational materials and volunteer personnel who can provide advisory assistance at little or no cost to the State; and

WHEREAS, children who develop sound eating habits early in life are known to exhibit higher academic performance, fewer behavioral problems, a lower risk for obesity, better attendance records, and a reduced frequency of common childhood illnesses; and

WHEREAS, the produce from food gardens can be served in school cafeterias, lessening the financial burden on the school's food service; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-first Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2002, the Senate concurring, that the Department of Education is urged to promote the development and use of organic food gardens for growing fruits and vegetables by elementary school students as individual school circumstances and preferences permit; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that elementary school principals and teachers are encouraged to integrate growing healthy plant food as a fundamental educational tool into such areas as math, history, nutrition, personal hygiene, physical education, science, and social studies; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Education is requested to submit a report to the Legislature by September 1, 2003, on the progress made in promoting food gardens in elementary schools; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Director of Health, Chairperson of the Board of Agriculture, Superintendent of Education, and Chairperson of the Board of Education.

 

 

 

OFFERED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

Food gardens in elementary schools