Support Food Equity & Local Farmers!
As the federal government continues to decimate vital life lines to our food insecure communities and support for small and regenerative farmers, now more than ever it is critical that we take care of our food insecure communities and to ensure that our local food producers are able to weather this administration. Two important measures are being heard in the House Committee on Finance this Thursday and Friday. Another important bill in support of Farm to Families is being heard in WAM on Friday as well. Please submit testimony in support 24hrs in advance!
Support SB960 SD1 HD1: Funds SNAP Staff
The House Committee on Finance will hear this bill on Thurs., March 27th at 3:30pm in Conference Room 308 and via video conference. Testimony is due Wednesday, March 26th, but late testimony is still accepted.
What Does This Bill Do?
Provides funds to the Department of Human Services to increase the number of SNAP staff and their pay.
Why Is This Important? Sample Testimony
SNAP applicants often face 4+ hours-long waits to speak with a representative, with many giving up on the process entirely due to the inability to get help. As a result, only 62% of eligible residents, including just 35% of our kūpuna, are enrolled in this vital program. The SNAP department is critically understaffed, unable to handle the high volume of applicants. Increasing pay for SNAP workers and adding staff positions within the Department of Human Services would fill vacancies, improve efficiency, and boost enrollment. Raising the enrollment rate to just 75% could bring over $100 million in much-needed support to struggling families in our state.
Food insecurity rates are already disturbingly high at 1 in 3 households reporting food insecurity. Given all of the recent cuts of federal support to our most vulnerable communities it is important for our local government to step up and ensure that food insecurity rates do not escalate further. Please support SB960 SD HD1.
Support SB693 SD1 HD1: Food Hub Pilot Program
The House Committee on Finance will hear this bill on Fri., March 28th at 3:30pm in Conference Room 308 and via video conference. Testimony is due Thursday, March. 27th, but late testimony is still accepted.
What Does This Bill Do?
Appropriates funds for the continued implementation of the Food Hub Pilot Program.
Why Is This Important? Sample Testimony:
Please support SB693 SD1 HD1. Support for the initial pilot food hubs program has been instrumental in helping emerging food hubs establish business operations in Hawaii. Food hubs provide necessary aggregation of produce for small farmers to help bring produce to market. Support for food hubs promotes the production of culturally appropriate, nutritious foods while also growing our local food economy. Further, more food hubs can provide greater food system equity, providing access to healthy food in local “food deserts”.
Given all of the recent cuts of federal support to our local farmers and producers, especially targeting small scale farmers seeking to engage in sustainable practices, it is critical that we take action locally to ensure that these local producers are able to succeed. Please support SB693 SD1 HD1.
Support HB428 HD1 SD1: Farm to Families
The Senate Committee on Ways & Means will hear this bill on Fri., March 28th at 10:02am in Conference Room 211 and via video conference. Testimony is due Thursday, March. 27th, but late testimony is still accepted. No Oral Testimony Accepted.
What Does This Bill Do?
Establishes the Hawaii Farm to Families Program to alleviate food shortages in the State. Connects food insecure households with locally grown and produced food.
Why Is This Important? Sample Testimony:
Please support HB428 HD1 SD1. The statistics around food insecurity in Hawaii are staggering. One in three households in Hawaiʻi report experiencing food insecurity. Nearly half (46%) of ALICE households lack consistent access to food. Increasing the ability of food banks to purchase locally grown food is a win-win for our communities and farmers. One major challenge local farmers face is access to markets. This will help grow our local food and agriculture economy while providing our communities with nutritious food.
As federal cuts to vital lifeline services and support for food producers threaten to even worsen local food insecurity, investing in our local food economy will help bolster our local production and food security in the long term.
Preparing Hawaiʻi’s families in the wake of disaster, food banks rely almost exclusively on private donations and grants, even though local governments rely heavily on them during times of crisis. The Farm to Families program would provide funding for purchasing from local farmers, improving emergency food access for families and opening up a local market for farmers during times of economic crisis. Please support HB428 HD1 SD1.
Tired of watching our local communities struggle to survive while billionaires scoop up Hawaiʻi’s lands and natural resources. Guess what? It doesn’t have to be this way! Interested in learning more about how you can deepen your advocacy and level up your leadership and engagement?
Applications are currently open for HAPA’s 8th Kuleana Academy Cohort! Learn more about how KA supports local leaders in building people power and taking action towards a more just future for Hawaiʻi. Applications are open through March 31st. Apply Today!
Join us this session in supporting a broad array of bills designed to support local farmers, food producers, increase local food production, address inequities in our food system such as food insecurity, and support regenerative and indigenous farming/food production practices.
Learn more information below about HAPA’s 2024 FSFS policy agenda and take action in support of these Fair & Sustainable Food System policy priorities!
New to Legislative Engagement? Learn more about how to engage in the Legislative Session!
Make sure you have set up your account on the Hawaii State Legislature website. If you are new to the process, see this helpful page on legislative engagement 101 from the Public Access Room including a link on how to submit testimony!
Mahalo for taking action!
