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J�tV^oF H�� <br />COUNTY OF HAWAI`I <br />tf • MTMOW.'\ <br />1rF OF•N'd� <br />RESOLUTION NO. <br />STATE OF HAWAI`I <br />A RESOLUTION URGING THE STATE OF HAWAI`I TO IMPLEMENT A <br />UNIVERSAL FREE SCHOOL MEALS PROGRAM THAT PROMOTES <br />NUTRITIONAL EQUITY, SUPPORTS LOCAL AGRICULTURE, AND ENHANCES <br />STUDENT SUCCESS. <br />WHEREAS, a 2024 report commissioned by the Hawaii Foodbank found that the <br />County of Hawaii has the highest rate of food insecurity in the State, with nearly forty percent <br />(40%) of households struggling to consistently provide nutritious meals; and <br />WHEREAS, the same report also stated that, among households with children, nearly ten <br />percent (10%) reported having children who needed to skip meals on at least a monthly basis <br />because there was not enough money for food; and <br />WHEREAS, hunger negatively affects students' academic performance, attendance, and <br />focus and increases the likelihood of stress, chronic health issues, and depression; and <br />WHEREAS, students with insufficient meal account balances are often denied school <br />breakfast and lunch, exacerbating the negative consequences of hunger, stigmatization, and other <br />barriers to learning; and <br />WHEREAS, approximately 70,000 families in Hawaii fall into an income range in <br />which they earn too much to qualify for free or reduced -cost meals but not enough to keep up <br />with rising living costs, including food prices; and <br />WHEREAS, studies show that access to free, nutritious school meals results in test score <br />improvements equivalent to six additional weeks of learning, leading to better educational <br />outcomes; and <br />WHEREAS, universal free school meal programs in eight states, viz. California, <br />Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, and Vermont, have <br />demonstrated success in reducing food insecurity, improving student health, and enhancing <br />academic performance; and <br />WHEREAS, a universal free school meals program that prioritizes local sourcing and <br />regional procurement will create economic opportunities for local farmers, ranchers, and food <br />producers while ensuring students have access to culturally appropriate, nutrient -rich meals; and <br />WHEREAS, the estimated annual cost to provide free schools meals for all public school <br />students statewide is $25 million, which is just over one percent (1%) of the state Department of <br />Education's entire budget; now, therefore, <br />