Support local farmers and food security!
Four more good food bills are scheduled for a hearing this Friday, March 31, 2023 at 9:45 AM, Conference Room 211 & Videoconference before the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. Only written testimony is supported, no oral testimony.
Testimony is due tomorrow, Thursday, Mar 30, 2023 at 9:45 AM.
HB 308, HD1, SD1 - Relating To Sustainable Food Systems
Establishes the sustainable food systems working group within the Department of Agriculture. Requires the working group to submit a plan, any recommendations for implementing the plan, and any proposed legislation to the Legislature. Appropriates funds to establish the working group and develop the plan and for an unspecified number of sustainability specialist positions to be employed by the DOA.
Sample Testimony:
Too many families in Hawaiʻi are facing food insecurity. Our farmers struggle to access affordable land and water. Climate change poses threats to our local food production. However, a more resilient food system can address these various challenges but only if we take a coordinated approach.
We can meet our goals of increasing local food production while also diversifying our local economy. Because our food system is so broad and complex, a plan will be needed to identify how the various sectors of our food system can work together to increase local food security.
A coordinated food systems plan led by key stakeholders across our food system can help connect the dots between local food producers, consumers, state institutional purchasing, and community anti-hunger efforts. This work is critical to fixing our reliance on imports and creating a sustainable and equitable food economy.
Please support HB308 to create a sustainable food systems working plan for Hawaiʻi.
Thank you for your consideration,
Your Name, Residence
HB 607, HD2, SD1 - Interisland Shipping Tax Credit for Food Producers
Creates an income tax credit for produce transportation costs incurred by taxpayers who are farmers, or are producers of agricultural commodities, cooperatives, broad line distributors, or food hubs who ship products and agricultural goods between counties.
Sample Testimony:
The cost of inter-island transportation is a bottleneck for market access by food producers in Hawaii. This issue is also recognized by the United States Department of Agriculture, which administers a reimbursement transportation cost payment program for geographically disadvantaged farmers and ranchers to reimburse producers for a portion of the cost to transport agricultural commodities or inputs used to produce an agricultural commodity.
Providing an income tax credit like the reimbursement transportation cost payment program that similarly reimburses producers for a portion of the cost to transport agricultural goods between the counties will reduce cost impacts to farm viability and consumer food price and support progress towards the State’s Aloha+ Challenge commitment to increase local food consumption and production.
Please support local food producers and distributors and pass HB607.
Thank you for your consideration,
Your Name, Residence/Town
HB 612, HD2, SD1 - Tax Credits for Farmers
Creates an income tax credit to alleviate the high costs of production for farmers, ranchers, and fishers and incentivize growth in the agricultural sector in the State.
Sample Testimony:
This bill would create tax credits for farmers, ranchers, and fishers, helping to offset the high costs of production that create barriers to making farming/food production economically viable in Hawaii. Support for our local food producers will allow them to invest more in their businesses and will provide much needed support to grow and sustain our agriculture sector.
Please support HB612.
Thank you for your consideration,
Your Name, Residence/Town
HB 1248, HD1 - Relating To Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Incentives.
Appropriates funds to DOA for the continued administration of the Hawaii healthy food incentive program and to provide matching funds to beneficiaries who participate in the supplemental nutrition assistance program.
Sample Testimony:
The Da Bux program partners with food retailers to make Hawaiʻi grown fruits and vegetables more affordable for SNAP-EBT cardholders. Through DA BUX, SNAP benefit dollars are doubled when they’re spent on qualifying local food items at more than 70 participating retail locations statewide. Those items tend to be healthier produce and fresh foods and being locally sourced directly supports Hawiʻi’s food economy.
Even before the pandemic DA BUX program was succeeding. Now more than ever, it is changing lives for the better in four very tangible and important ways including:
It’s putting more food on the tables of local families in need.
It’s providing incentives that encourage people to buy locally grown and produced food.
It’s strengthening the local economy by keeping more dollars in the Islands.
It’s improving local health by providing incentives to eat fresher, unprocessed foods.
The DA BUX program works and should be continued and expanded upon where possible. The program is a tangible solution to supporting local food production and helping families have access to quality fresh food.
Please support HB1248.
Thank you for your consideration,
Your Name, Residence/Town
