FAACTS has long called for a long-term food system strategy for San Francisco. As severe cuts to programs like SNAP become a reality, the need for a coordinated and strategic plan to get ahead of its impacts are more important than ever. While developing a strategy can seem too big and impossible to pursue, places like Los Angeles County, New York City, and Hawai’i are facing the challenge head on and setting shining examples for us! Conversations with them can offer timely lessons on how other regions built the political will, partnerships, and planning infrastructure to act.

Join us for “Learn How Hawai‘i is Transforming Their Food System,” a special session with Dr. Amanda Shaw and Dr. Albie Miles, two of the driving forces behind Hawai‘i’s Senate Bill 1186, a bill recently enacted into law (Act 239) by their Governor to establish Statewide Interagency Food Systems Coordination Team and Interagency Food Systems Working Group within the Agribusiness Development Corporation (ADC). These bodies will guide coordinated, statewide planning to transform Hawai‘i’s food system. 

Their work aims to:

• Strengthen local food production

• Expand access to healthy food

• Improve public health and disaster preparedness

• Support initiatives like farm-to-school programs

The Coordination Team and Working Group will collaborate with county agencies, community stakeholders, and Indigenous-serving organizations to develop time-bound, measurable implementation plans. This law represents a long-term commitment to building a more resilient, equitable, and sustainable food system.

Who should attend: Community-based food organizations, producers, distributors, retailers, and policymakers working toward an equitable, resilient food system in San Francisco 

Come learn what it took for Hawai‘i to move from vision to a Governor-signed legislation, what San Francisco can learn from their success, and how we can support each other’s work.