SB373 – Direct Farm to Consumer Food Sales

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	373
TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE, 2013
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to Direct sales from farm to consumer.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that the sales of locally produced foods comprise a growing part of agricultural sales in the United States.  The United States Department of Agriculture estimates that in 2008, local food sales totaled approximately $4,800,000,000.

     The number of small farms in Hawaii has grown substantially during the last ten years, reflecting a changing agricultural model from plantations to smaller farms with diverse cropping and marketing systems that create new sources for agricultural products, including food and value-added products using Hawaii-grown agriculture.

     The purpose of this Act is to:

     (1)  Exempt producers of Hawaii-grown agricultural products from department of health rules if selling unprocessed Hawaii-grown agricultural products directly to consumers; and

     (2)  Allow producers of value-added products to sell directly to consumers if certain requirements are met.

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 328, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§328-    Hawaii-grown agricultural products; value-added products; exemption  (a)  Producers of Hawaii-grown agricultural products shall be exempt from department rules if selling unprocessed Hawaii-grown agricultural products directly to consumers.

     (b)  Producers of value-added products produced using Hawaii-grown agricultural products may sell directly to consumers if the value-added products are processed in a department certified food-processing establishment according to department guidelines."

     SECTION 3.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title:

Hawaii-grown Agricultural Products; Value-added Products; Department of Health

Description:

Exempts producers of unprocessed Hawaii-grown agricultural products from department of health rules if selling unprocessed Hawaii-grown agricultural products directly to consumers.  Allows producers of value-added products to sell directly to consumers if certain requirements are met.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.