Not surprisingly, a new state auditor’s report confirms that Hawaii’s Department of Education (HIDOE) has failed abysmally in its legislatively mandated Farm to School Program, aimed at incorporating local foods in public school meals. But the depth of disarray is appalling — with a systemic l ack of planning, data and clear direction from HIDOE leadership. So now, it’s not enough for HIDOE to merely acknowledge the problems — as schools Superintendent Keith Hayashi mostly does — but it must devise a coherent strategy that is communicated to frontline cafeteria managers, improves dismal record-keeping by using 21st-century technology and coordinates effectively with Hawaii’s farm community. ...read more read less