WEEK OF MARCH 6

On March 6, the Assembly Economic Growth, Commerce, and Agriculture Committee voted on a bill.. -- A2458 -- This bill seeks to establish the “Urban Farming Pilot program,” which appropriates $100,000 to the Department of Agriculture from the General Fund to provide three qualified applicants to use an urban garden for the three-year pilot period to improve the conditions of local neighborhoods and incorporate residents in the community. Read more here.

Members of NJFDC’s Beginner, Urban, Small-Scale, and Emerging Farmer Workgroup reviewed the bill. Their assessment highlighted concerns that $100,000 is an insufficient amount to sustainably support the cost of maintenance and development of the urban gardens, among other concerns. Those concerns were shared with the bill’s sponsor, Assemblywoman Quijano (District 20). NJFDC looks forward to further engaging on this bill in the coming weeks. 

Also this week, the Assembly Commerce, Economic Development and Agriculture Committee voted to approve Assembly Bill No. 5093. 

A5093- This bill would encourage the procurement of food products from local farmers and food producers for school meal programs by providing preference to ensure that food procurement from school food authorities, food service management companies, and other contracted third-party food service providers pursuant to the Local Food for Schools program and other State and federal law programs. By providing geographical preference to the procurement of such food and food products that are grown or produced within a 100-mile radius of the school, especially by In-State farmers, the schools will also need to maintain and consistently document their ongoing compliance with the bill’s geographical preference requirements. Read more here.