Stop Taxing Food — Support Families and Food Security

Change.org petition from Hawaii Food Industry Association https://www.change.org/.../stop-taxing-food-support...

Decision Makers: Josh Green +2

The Issue

Hawai‘i is one of only four states — along with Alabama, Mississippi, and South Dakota — that still taxes groceries at the full rate. This means every time local families buy food, they’re taxed just like they’re buying luxury goods.

Food taxes are regressive — they take a larger share from working families than from the wealthy. And according to national research, every 1% increase in grocery taxes raises food insecurity by 0.84%. With Hawai‘i’s 4.5% General Excise Tax (GET), families here are paying one of the highest food taxes in America, while one in three people struggles to afford enough to eat.

>>> Sign Here >>> https://www.change.org/.../stop-taxing-food-support... <<<

Our Goal

• Phases out Hawai‘i’s grocery tax — gradually reducing the GET on groceries and nonprescription medicine from 3.5% in 2027 to 0% by 2034.

• Prohibits counties from adding their own grocery surcharges, ensuring families actually see relief and eliminates the wholesale tax on grocery items which drives up food and beverage costs.

Why It Matters

• Hawai‘i ranks #1 in the nation for overall tax burden, largely because of the GET’s “pyramiding” — taxing goods and services multiple times through the supply chain and our outlier status in taxing basic groceries people need to live.

• Food should never be taxed — especially when local families are already struggling with the highest cost of living in the country.

• Tourists don’t buy groceries — locals do. According to USDA data, nearly all grocery purchases in Hawai‘i are made by residents, meaning this bill directly helps local families.

Sign the petition to urge Hawai‘i’s Legislature to end taxes on essential groceries!

Groceries tax-free. Food security for all.

>>> Sign Here >>> https://www.change.org/.../stop-taxing-food-support... <<<