HONOLULU (KHON2) — The Farm to School Action Plan is about to launch, with a mission to improve student nutrition, local farmers’ revenue and food sustainability in Hawaii’s public schools.
This plan will affect schools in Central Oahu, including Leilehua, Mililani and Waialua.
“This initiative is a testament to our commitment to a resilient and sustainable food system,” said Mayor Rick Blangiardi. “By connecting our schools directly with local agriculture, we are fostering economic growth and environmental stewardship.”
The Farm to School Action Plan will tackle a variety of areas, including implementing agricultural education, developing culturally significant menus and including a Regional Kitchen Model.
The goal of the Regional Kitchen Model is to create an efficient and simple school meal production system that includes fresh, locally sourced ingredients.
“This is a transformative step forward in ensuring that Hawaiʻi’s students have access to fresh, nutritious meals while also strengthening our local agricultural industry,” said Jaime Kanani Green, First Lady of the State of Hawaiʻi. “By investing in farm-to-school initiatives, we are not only improving the health of our keiki but also creating sustainable opportunities for our farmers.”
This initiative will serve as a test run for HIDOE to establish future expansion of this plan statewide.
“Integrating fresh, local produce into our school meals enriches the educational experience and promotes lifelong healthy habits among our students,” said HIDOE Superintendent Keith Hayashi.
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The plan involves a diverse group of contributors to make it successful. So, over time, the plan is structured to evolve from community feedback and adapt with emerging challenges and opportunities.