Action Alert: Increase DOE Procurement Threshold for Local Foods

RATIONALE:

Act 175 (2021) set a goal to source 30% of school food locally by 2030. However, the Department of Education (DOE) has struggled to make progress towards this goal – in School Year 2023-2024, only 5.43% of food purchased was locally sourced. 

Increasing the DOE’s small purchase procurement limit from $25,000 to $100,000 will align the DOE with all other state departments. This will also eliminate a barrier that hinders its ability to purchase local foods and support its goal to source 30% of school food locally by 2030.

TAKE ACTION NOW:

Public hearings are an opportunity for the public to weigh in on bills being considered by lawmakers. Submitting testimony for these hearings is an important way to let lawmakers know your position on these important issues. All you need to do is share why you are in strong support (we have some talking points below to get you started!). Each hearing may have different lawmakers, so you must submit testimony each time there is a new hearing.

Hearing Information

Bill: HB 1293 HD2 SD1
Position: Strong Support
Date/Time: Wednesday, April 2, 2025 at 10:01 AM
Committee: Senate Committee on Ways and Means

How to Submit Testimony

1. Log-in /make an account on the Capitol website.
2. Go to the bill page for HB 1293 HD2 SD1 and click on the “Submit Testimony” button.
3. Upload or write your testimony in SUPPORT of the bill (It doesn’t need to be long!).
4. Please submit testimony by Tuesday, April 1, at 10:01 AM (at least 24 hours in before the hearing) to ensure your testimony is received on-time and reviewed by the committee members! Late testimony will be accepted until the time of the hearing. 

SAMPLE TESTIMONY:

I strongly support raising the DOE’s small purchase procurement limit from $25,000 to $100,000, aligning it with other state departments. The current $25,000 threshold hinders local food procurement due to burdensome formal competition and public advertising requirements. Increasing this limit will streamline processes, eliminate barriers, and enhance the DOE’s ability to purchase local foods. This also supports Hawai‘i’s goal to source 30% of school food locally by 2030 (Act 175, 2021 / HRS302A-405.6), strengthening our agricultural economy and ensuring students have access to fresh, nutritious meals. Mahalo for considering my testimony in strong support of this issue.

TALKING POINTS:

• Raise the Department of Education’s (DOE) small purchase procurement limit from $25,000 to $100,000, in alignment with all other state departments. This will eliminate a barrier that limits its ability to purchase local foods.
• Small purchase procurement offers a streamlined process for government agencies to acquire goods and services.
• The DOE’s lower threshold of $25,000 hinders local food purchases, as amounts exceeding this threshold must go through formal competition and public advertising.
• Support Hawai‘i’s goal to source 30% of school food locally by 2030 (as mandated by Act 175, 2021 / HRS302A-405.6).