<p>Legislative III Project Environmental Law Project UH Law School November 9, 2007</p><p>Enery and Environmental Protection Committee Members: Chair Rep. Hermina M. Morita Vice Chair Rep. Mele Carrol Rep. Pono Chong Rep. Ken Ito Rep. Michael Magoay Rep. Roland D. Sagum Rep. Scott K. Saiki Rep. Cynthia Theilen</p><p>Regarding: Sustainable Local Agriculture Bill</p><p>Testimony:</p><p>Foodland Supports Local Farmers My name is Ann Otteman I am writing in order to testify on behalf of Foodland Supermarket, Ltd. in favor of the sustainable local agriculture bill. This proposed legislation establishes that its purpose is to “reduce the negative effects of Hawai`i's dependence on food imports and to promote sustainable diversified agriculture.” We at Foodland Supermarkets readily support this legislation as we too support these aims. As the first supermarket in Hawaii we have a long history in Hawaii. We are not a mainland company and feel that it is important to support local farmers. We carry a lot of local produce in our stores, from Kamuela Farms to Aloun Farms. These farms give directly and indirectly to the people of Hawaii. They directly help the state of Hawaii by producing a number of different crops which provide food directly to local families and also provide employment to the people of Hawaii. Indirectly they help the State of Hawaii by providing tax revenues which help support the people of Hawaii. Often foreign and mainland growers provide produce at a cheaper rate and local farmers just cannot compete. It is important that local farmers are given the opportunity to compete with the flood of imported produce. Our “Locally Grown” program is an example of our voluntary promotion of local produce. This proposed legislature will encourage other supermarkets to do the same.</p><p>Sustainable Local Agriculture Bill Supports Local FarmersThe proposed legislation seeks to label produce as locally grown or imported and to create a fund to encourage Hawaii farmers to grow produce locally. These two measures will serve to encourage the</p><p>Otteman 1 local population to be aware of where their food comes from and provide incentives and aid for local people to provide their own food supply allowing Hawaii to become self sustained.</p><p>Sustainable Agriculture is Important for the State of Hawaii This bill is necessary in order to ensure the overall welfare of Hawaii’s local and tourist populations. We are concerned about the prospect of only a 10 day food supply if all shipping is stopped. This is a daunting prospect. Although they constant movement of airplanes and ships in and out of Hawaii may make ten days food supply seem ample, it is very possible to see how if a disaster struck and all transportation was stopped, even for a month, that the people of Hawaii would starve. As an island which is very far from the US mainland and any other countries, this lack of preparation can likely be seen as neglect of a real problem.</p><p>As a company operating in Hawaii for over 60 years we are concerned with Hawaii’s future and growing dependence on foreign products and produce. This legislation will help to encourage a sustainable and safe future for Hawaii.</p><p>Mahalo for the opportunity to testify,</p><p>Ann Otteman</p><p>Hawaii Department of Agriculture www.foodland.com</p><p>Ting, Marlo, Hawa’i farming can’t rival imports, Ka Leo, 4/23/2003, www.kaleo.org</p><p>Foodland events highlight Hawaii grown products, The Honolulu Advertiser, 6/27/2007 at Breaking News</p><p>Otteman 2 Regulatory Option</p><p>TO: Hawaii Legislature</p><p>FROM: Food Group [Anne Otteman, RodolfoMorales, Asami Miyazawa, Madeline Reed]</p><p>DATE: November 1, 2007</p><p>SUBJECT: RELATING TO AGRICULTURE</p><p>Purpose: The purpose of this bill is to reduce the negative effects of Hawai`i's dependence on food imports and to promote sustainable diversified agriculture. </p><p>Objective: Hawai`i is dependent on out of state sources for 80-90% of its food supply. This puts our health and safety at risk because, should something interfere with imports, we would be unable to support the population. In addition, importing our food thousands of miles, often by airplane (the least efficient of all food transportation methods) leaves the state with a larger than necessary carbon footprint. We also seek to develop effective sustainable and diversified agriculture, so as to move away from industrial agriculture and its dependence on fossil fuels from chemical fertilizers and pesticides.</p><p>Jurisdiction: This regulation will be on the state level.</p><p>Regulatory target: In-state agriculture and produce.</p><p>Type of Regulation: Fund and labeling. </p><p>Section 1: Definitions:</p><p> a) diversified agriculture—agriculture which focuses on producing multiple types of produce; this definition may exclude large-scale producers. b) grown—naturally cultivated from seed, cutting, or other origin to produce fruit or vegetable products c) produce—fruits and vegetables that are fresh, not processed d) state of origin—the state where the produce was grown e) sustainable agriculture—agricultural practices that maintain or enhance: (1) the economic viability of agricultural production; (2) the natural resources; and (3) other ecosystems which are affected by agricultural activities</p><p>Otteman 3  Sustainability cannot be measured directly, thus indicators must be used to measure how sustainable an agricultural system might be. Some indicators include: i. productivity ii. quantity of fossil-fuel based products used in production iii. if irrigation is necessary, how much and where the water originates from iv. land & water quality to sustain production v. residues resulting from use of chemical products vi. net social benefit (both monetary & non-monetary terms) vii. flexibility of the system in adjusting to climate & other changes in circumstances</p><p>Section 2: Regulation: </p><p> a) All produce sold in a retail setting shall be marked with its state of origin, either on the produce itself by means of a sticker of area at least one square inch, or clearly marked on a sign next to the produce, in letters at least one half inch high.</p><p> b) Hawai`i Department of Agriculture shall create a fund used to support:</p><p> i. subsidies or guaranteed loans for new sustainable diversified agriculture; ii. state purchase of agricultural easements over new and existing farms practicing sustainable diversified agriculture; iii. agricultural research & education specifically designed to assist practicing farmers; iv. advertising promoting farmers markets and local food in general; or community garden space acquisition in urban centers.</p><p>Otteman 4</p>