Bill to Encourage Use of Jersey Fresh Products at NJ’s Colleges, Universities Clears Assembly Panel

TRENTON — Legislation sponsored by Assembly Democrats Eric Houghtaling, Adam Taliaferro, and Bob Andrzejczak to encourage the use of more locally grown foods in the meals prepared at public institutions of higher education was released earlier this week by an Assembly panel.
“The Farm to School program delivers New Jersey grown food into school cafeterias and gives students the opportunity to taste Jersey Fresh foods and learn how their food is grown,” said Houghtaling (D-Monmouth). “The concept behind the Farm to School has been successful with public schools. There is no reason why it should not be expanded to public institutions of higher education.”
“This program encourages farmers to sell their products to schools and schools to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables as well as other healthy, local products from New Jersey farmers,” said Taliaferro (D-Cumberland/Gloucester/Salem). “It really is a win-win.”
“This is already working in our public schools. Bringing it to our colleges and universities is the next logical step,” said Andrzejczak (D-Atlantic/Cape May/Cumberland). “This program can help introduce students to healthier foods grown locally and further promote the Jersey Fresh brand.”
The bill (A-3059) would establish the “New Jersey Farm to Public Institution of Higher Education Program. The bill would require the Department of Agriculture to adopt regulations that:
• provide encouragement for public institutions of higher education that provide meal programs to expand or improve their kitchen facilities to allow for the daily production of meals that incorporate more fresh, locally grown or produced farm produce, fruit or other products;
• establish a bidding matrix that provides for public institutions of higher education to purchase New Jersey grown food and allows them to adopt price preferences for local agricultural and farm products;
• in conjunction with the Secretary of Higher Education, develop ways in which public institutions of higher education can increase the procurement of locally grown or produced farm produce, fruit or other products for use in meals; and
• create a public directory for New Jersey farmers with contact information of purchasing agents at public institutions of higher education, and another public directory for purchasers with information about qualified New Jersey farmers and distributors.
Under the bill, the department would also establish a website with information about the program while also soliciting contributions to support the program.
The bill would take effect immediately.
The bill was approved by the Assembly Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee on Sept. 19.