Daniela Spoto of Hawaiʻi Appleseed says the lack of clarity and strategic planning does not bode well for the rollout of the centralized model, because school food programs require collaboration between DOE, staff, advocates and students.

“We’re not at odds with (DOE’s) plan, it just feels incomplete,” Spoto said in an interview. “Everybody is frustrated.”

Richards says there needs to be a strategy in place so farmers can plan to meet the demand DOE claims the agricultural industry cannot currently satisfy. 

So whether or not the House resolution sticks, Richards has resolved to continue working on the issue, even after session ends, to ensure at least a flexible strategy comes from the DOE.