REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO CONVENE A WORKING GROUP TO ADDRESS THE FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF AUDITOR'S REPORT NO. 26-08 REGARDING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF HAWAII'S FARM-TO-SCHOOL AND LOCAL FOOD PROCUREMENT INITIATIVES.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution requests the Hawaii Department of Education to form a working group to address findings from an auditor's report on the state's farm-to-school and local food procurement programs. The working group will include representatives from education, agriculture, food distribution, schools, and community organizations to review challenges such as data collection issues and coordination gaps. The group will develop strategies to improve local food purchasing in schools, enhance supply chains, and strengthen collaboration between schools and local farmers. The Department of Education will submit a report with recommendations to the Legislature by the start of the 2027 session.