STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1331

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    S.C.R. No. 109

       S.D. 1

 

 

 

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2015

State of Hawaii

 

Madam:

 

     Your Committee on Higher Education and the Arts, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 109 entitled:

 

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION DESIGNATING THE MONTH OF OCTOBER OF EACH YEAR AS "FARM TO SCHOOL MONTH" IN HAWAII TO STRENGTHEN AND SUPPORT FARM TO SCHOOL INITIATIVES IN HAWAII'S SCHOOLS,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to designate the month of October of each year as "Farm to School Month" in Hawaii to strengthen and support farm to school initiatives in Hawaii's schools.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture, Department of Education, Hawaii Farm Bureau, Local Food Coalition, Hawaii Farm to School and School Garden Hui, Hawaii Island School Garden Network, and four individuals.

 

     Your Committee finds that there is an increasing importance in providing Hawaii's youth with the education and exposure to become agriculturally literate.  Specifically, it is vital for the future of food security throughout the islands that students appreciate the connection between food and the farm from which it came.  Further, there is an increasing connection between the application of farm to school initiatives and improved student health and nutrition.

 

     Your Committee notes that this measure recognizes that informed food choices underlines positive health choices.  This measure additionally strengthens the local economy and contributes to the overarching goal of local food security.  In 2010, the United States House of Representatives designated the month of October to serve each year as a nation-wide health initiative, specifically designated as the "National Farm to School Month".  By passing this measure, the State will mirror that Congressional expression of support for greater student health and increased agricultural literacy.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Higher Education and the Arts that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 109, as amended herein, and recommends its adoption in the form attached hereto as S.C.R. No. 109, S.D. 1.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Higher Education and the Arts,

 

 

 

________________________________

BRIAN T. TANIGUCHI, Chair