Bissen signs county food security plan into law
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Signed into law Sept. 17, Bill 98 formally adopted the Maui County Food and Nutrition Security Plan as a long-term framework for county food security efforts.
The plan addresses how food is grown, harvested, processed, distributed, consumed and recovered in Maui County.
The Maui County Council unanimously approved the measure on second reading Sept. 4. Council member Gabe Johnson introduced the bill with support from Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen's administration, according to a news release.
The release said the legislation was developed through a multiyear community process led by the Maui County Department of Agriculture.
"Food security is too important to our future to simply create a plan and put it on a shelf," Bissen said. "By working together with the County Council to put this plan into law, we are making a long-term commitment to strengthening local food production, supporting our farmers and producers, and ensuring our families have greater access to healthy, locally grown food. This is about building a more resilient Maui Nui for generations to come."
Hundreds of farmers, ranchers, fishers, hunters, educators, public health professionals and other residents from Maui, Molokai and Lanai contributed to the plan.
The plan aims to increase access to nourishing and culturally relevant foods; support producers and expand local food production; strengthen local food economies and agricultural career pathways; and promote healthy ecosystems and responsible stewardship of natural resources.
"Codifying this plan gives it staying power," Johnson said in the release. "Our communities put years of work into identifying what Maui County needs to become more food secure. Passing Bill 98 ensures that work remains part of how the County plans, sets priorities and measures progress, not just today, but well into the future."
The Maui County Department of Agriculture has begun implementing the plan with producers, community organizations, nonprofits, small businesses and government agencies. A public online dashboard tracking progress is expected to launch in January.
The law also establishes a framework for maintaining and updating the plan as community needs change and for using it to guide future county policies, programs and investments.
The plan is available at mauicounty.gov/agriculture.