Effort underway to add more local food to school meals in Hawaii

[ad_1]

[ad_2]

Resource link Hawaii is leading the way in providing local and fresh food to school children through an effort to add more local food to school meals. Hawaii legislators recently passed a resolution directing the Department of Education (DOE) to develop a program to increase access to locally-produced food in school meals.

The resolution directs DOE to expand its Farm to School program and to add more locally-grown and legally harvested food products to school meals. The initiative is part of a larger effort by the Department to promote healthy eating habits among Hawaii’s youth. It is also intended to benefit the local economy by promoting locally-grown food.

The resolution has received strong support from agriculture and public health advocates, who recognize the importance of providing fresh, local food to schoolchildren. Hawaii’s Farm to School program has been successful in providing locally-sourced food to school cafeterias in some areas. However, the program has not been able to achieve widespread success due to limited resources and lack of knowledge about the benefits of locally-sourced food.

Advocates for the resolution are hoping that expanding the program will provide more access to fresh, locally-produced foods for Hawaii’s kids. The Department of Education plans to launch a series of pilot programs in the near future to begin implementing the resolution. These programs will include a variety of initiatives, such as farm field trips for students, education about local agriculture, and discounts for schools that purchase locally-sourced food.

The resolution is an important step in creating greater access to fresh, local food for Hawaii’s schoolchildren. It is also a reminder of the importance of supporting local farmers and producers and providing healthier meal options for children in Hawaii’s public schools. This effort is a positive example of how Hawaii is leading the nation in providing healthy food to its students.