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HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP PWIRC 070 03/16/2010 2008-2010DATE: March 16, 2010 PLACE: Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort and Spa 78 -128 Ehukai Street Kailua -Kona, Hawai`i 96740 TIME: 4:40 P.M. Council Chair and Members Hawai`i County Council Hilo, Hawai`i 96720 REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS AND INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS Re: Comm. No. 713.1 Res. 305 -10 (Draft 2) Your Committee on Public Works and Intergovernmental Relations, to which was referred Communication 713 and Resolution 305 -10, Draft 2, reports as follows: Resolution 305 -10, Draft 2, transmitted via Communication No. 713.1 from Council Member Pete Hoffmann, dated February 16, 2010, urging the State Legislature to support a Farm -To- School program and implement a statewide Farm -To- School policy. On March 2, 2010 meeting of your Committee on Public Works and Intergovernmental Relations, there were six testifiers from the public, all in support of this resolution. A motion to amend to correct the third whereas statement, by replacing State Bill with Senate Bill, was made by Brenda Ford and seconded by Council Member Emily Naole- Beason, was unanimously approved. Communication 713.1 from Council Member Pete Hoffmann, dated March 2, 2009 presented the correction, as incorporated into Res. 305 -10, Draft 2. Council Member J Yoshimoto presented Council Member Pete Hoffmann's Legislative Assistant Kareen Forissier to answer questions about this resolution and about the status of the Senate and House Bills. She reported both bills are dormant. The House Committee has asked for a feasibility study, and Bill 1179 is alive in Senate. No hearings have been scheduled. Council Member Donald Ikeda asked Ms. Forissier for further description. She stated, in general, the House Bill asks how could it be done, what are the economics? The Senate Bill is simpler and no feasibility study has been applied or requested, thus far. School lunches are a Federal program, but school districts are allowed to change the menu. Schools using Farm -To- School can change menus to allow substitution for what's available. Mr. Ikeda elaborated that farmers need co -ops, and currently school menus have foods that locals don't want to eat. Council Member Dennis Onishi stated he would like to hear directly from the Department of Education (DOE). He motioned to postpone, and the resolution was next heard on March 16, 2010. On March 16, 2010, there was one public testifier in support. PWIRC RPT. NO. 70 Comm. 713.1 Res. 305 -10 (Draft 2) Page -2- Glenna Owens, State Department of Education Director of Food Services, was called to testify by Committee Chairman Enriques. She reported the State DOE serves approximately 100,000 school meals each day. Ms. Owens stated the goal of this resolution is not feasible in the short term, and that many other Departments must also be involved. DOE is supportive of the Farm -To- School initiatives, yet cautions that even an abundant local crop such as papayas cannot always be supplied, and many kinds of basic fruits and vegetables are frequently unavailable. Orders go unfilled. Local vendors are DOE suppliers on a best buy status, and are asked to specify product origin, if known. DOE only purchases from wholesalers, not directly from farmers. The DOE objects to the State Legislation language "healthier and more nutritious meals ", because the implication is the DOE does not serve healthy meals. Meals have improved strongly in that direction over the years. The resolution does not need to be critical of the past. Council Member Kelly Greenwell stated Farm -To- School may help revitalize our economic future. Richard Ha, Hawai`i County Farmer and State Energy Commissioner, was introduced by Chairman Enriques. Mr. Ha testified his farms have supplied vendors who have supplied the schools, but stated it is very challenging to meet DOE requirements. Assuring product safety and certification can also be a large expense for the small farmer. Council Member Pete Hoffmann introduced Kathy Amaral, who reminded the Committee an agricultural product processing facility in North Kohala was recently approved by this same County Council. She re- emphasized the comments made by Mr. Hoffmann and Mr. Greenwell positing farm cooperatives will be necessary to meet economies of scale. Your Committee on Public Works and Intergovernmental Relations is in accord with the purpose and intent of Resolution 305 -10, Draft 2, and recommends its adoption. bw Respectfully submitted, COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS AND INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS GU f EN • �1 . ES, C PWIRC RE ADOPTED: �� N0 7 1010 AYES NOES A&E EX ENRIQUES X FORD X GREENWELL X HOFFMANN X IKEDA X NAEOLE X ONISHI X YAGONG X YOSHIMOTO X Comm. 713.1 Res. 305 -10 (Draft 2) Page -2- Glenna Owens, State Department of Education Director of Food Services, was called to testify by Committee Chairman Enriques. She reported the State DOE serves approximately 100,000 school meals each day. Ms. Owens stated the goal of this resolution is not feasible in the short term, and that many other Departments must also be involved. DOE is supportive of the Farm -To- School initiatives, yet cautions that even an abundant local crop such as papayas cannot always be supplied, and many kinds of basic fruits and vegetables are frequently unavailable. Orders go unfilled. Local vendors are DOE suppliers on a best buy status, and are asked to specify product origin, if known. DOE only purchases from wholesalers, not directly from farmers. The DOE objects to the State Legislation language "healthier and more nutritious meals ", because the implication is the DOE does not serve healthy meals. Meals have improved strongly in that direction over the years. The resolution does not need to be critical of the past. Council Member Kelly Greenwell stated Farm -To- School may help revitalize our economic future. Richard Ha, Hawai`i County Farmer and State Energy Commissioner, was introduced by Chairman Enriques. Mr. Ha testified his farms have supplied vendors who have supplied the schools, but stated it is very challenging to meet DOE requirements. Assuring product safety and certification can also be a large expense for the small farmer. Council Member Pete Hoffmann introduced Kathy Amaral, who reminded the Committee an agricultural product processing facility in North Kohala was recently approved by this same County Council. She re- emphasized the comments made by Mr. Hoffmann and Mr. Greenwell positing farm cooperatives will be necessary to meet economies of scale. Your Committee on Public Works and Intergovernmental Relations is in accord with the purpose and intent of Resolution 305 -10, Draft 2, and recommends its adoption. bw Respectfully submitted, COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS AND INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS GU f EN • �1 . ES, C PWIRC RE ADOPTED: �� N0 7 1010