Following the devastating Kona low storms, a resilient local food system is more critical than ever. As Hawai‘i’s agricultural community recovers from crop and infrastructure losses, supporting local farmers is vital to improving food security. That’s why it’s important to challenge misleading narratives that may undermine that goal.
A recent state audit of the Hawaiʻi Department of Education showed significant increases in the cost of school meals. Some have suggested that rising prices for locally produced food are the reason for the high cost of school meals or that expanding procurement of local food is too expensive.
The data, however, tell a different story. Inflation is often cited as the primary driver of rising costs, including school meals. In this case, inflation alone doesn’t explain the increase.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the consumer price index for food in Urban Honolulu rose 7.8% between July 2022 and July 2024. Over roughly the same period, from school year 2021-2022 to school year 2023-2024, the DOE’s food spending increased by more than $31 million (or more than 60%), while spending on local food increased by only $1.3 million…