Bill Text: NJ A5331 | 2020-2021 | Regular Session | Introduced


Bill Title: Establishes "Emerging Food Task Force" to encourage information sharing concerning new produce options and consumer trends.

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 3-1)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2021-01-29 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Agriculture Committee [A5331 Detail]

Download: New_Jersey-2020-A5331-Introduced.html

ASSEMBLY, No. 5331

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

219th LEGISLATURE

 

INTRODUCED JANUARY 29, 2021

 


 

Sponsored by:

Assemblyman  STERLEY S. STANLEY

District 18 (Middlesex)

Assemblyman  RONALD S. DANCER

District 12 (Burlington, Middlesex, Monmouth and Ocean)

 

 

 

 

SYNOPSIS

     Establishes "Emerging Food Task Force" to encourage information sharing concerning new produce options and consumer trends.

 

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

     As introduced.

  


An Act establishing the "Emerging Food Task Force."

 

     Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

 

      1.   a.     There is established the "Emerging Food Task Force."  The task force shall encourage coordination and information sharing between farmers and retailers to plan for the growth and development of new varieties of produce that would be popular among consumers.

      b.   The task force shall consist of 13 members as follows:

     (1)   the Secretary of Agriculture, who shall serve ex officio, or a designee;

     (2)   the President of the New Jersey Farm Bureau, who shall serve ex officio, or a designee;

     (3)   the President of the New Jersey Food Council, who shall serve ex officio, or a designee;

     (4)   the President of the New Jersey Restaurant and Hospitality Association, who shall serve ex officio, or a designee;

     (5)   the Executive Director of the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station, who shall serve as ex officio, or a designee;

     (6)   the Executive Director of the Food Innovation Center at Rutgers University, who shall serve as ex officio, or a designee;

     (7)   four representatives from major food retailers, two of whom shall be appointed by the Governor, one of whom shall be appointed by the President of the Senate, and one of whom shall be appointed by the Speaker of the General Assembly; and

     (8)   three public members with relevant farming experience, one of whom shall be appointed by the Governor, one of whom shall be appointed by the President of the Senate, and one of whom shall be appointed by the Speaker of the General Assembly.

      c.    The members of the task force shall be appointed within 30 days after the effective date of this act.  The task force shall organize as soon as practicable after the appointment of the task force's members.  The task force shall choose a chairperson and a vice chairperson from among its members, and a secretary who need not be a member of the task force.  The task force shall meet regularly as the task force determines or at the call of the chairperson.  A majority of the full membership of the task force shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of task force business.  The task force may meet and hold hearings at the place or places the task force designates.

      d.   The members of the task force shall serve without compensation, but may be reimbursed for necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties and within the limit of funds appropriated or otherwise made available to the task force for its purposes.

      e.    Any vacancies in the membership of the task force shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment.

      f.    The Department of Agriculture shall provide professional and clerical staff support to the task force.  The task force shall be entitled to call to the task force's assistance and avail itself of the services of the employees of any State, county, or municipal department, board, bureau, commission, or agency as the task force may require and as may be available for the task force's purposes.

 

      2.   a.  The "Emerging Food Task Force" shall:

     (1)   examine current and previous data and research related to popular food trends among consumers;

     (2)   discuss emerging new types or varieties of produce that can be grown by farmers and then sold by major food retailers;

     (3)   identify effective strategies to coordinate the growth and sales of new produce among farmers and major food retailers, increase public knowledge of and accessibility to new produce options, and better predict future trends among consumers;

     (4)   develop recommendations to implement those strategies, including legislation and policies, if appropriate, based on the task force's findings.

      b.   No later than one year after the task force organizes, the task force shall prepare and submit a report to the Governor and, pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1991, c.164 (C.52:14-19.1), to the Legislature summarizing the activities and findings of the task force, and setting forth its recommendations.

 

      3.   This act shall take effect immediately and shall expire 30 days after the date the task force submits its report pursuant to section 2 of this act.

 

 

STATEMENT

 

     This bill creates a 13-member task force, to be known as the "Emerging Food Task Force."  The purpose of the task force is to encourage coordination and information sharing between farmers and retailers to plan for the growth and development of new varieties of produce that would be popular among consumers.

     Consumer trends are constantly evolving and should be closely monitored in order to increase profitability among farmers and retailers.  Consumer trends often consist of new and unique produce types, which can create an unexpected and increased demand on farmers.  Heightened coordination and information sharing between farmers and retailers is necessary to ensure farmers are prepared and able to grow the new produce that is desired by consumers.  Increased coordination between farmers and retailers will also ensure that new produce grown by farmers is sold efficiently within stores. 

     The State of New Jersey's protection and preservation of farmland has had direct, positive effects on local economies through product sales and job creation.  Increasing reliance on farmers and creating additional opportunities for farmers will further stimulate the economy and create jobs throughout the State.

     The task force would consist of 13 members, including the Secretary of Agriculture, the President of the New Jersey Farms Bureau, the President of the New Jersey Food Council, the President of the New Jersey Restaurant and Hospitality Association, the Executive Director of the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station, the Executive Director of the Food Innovation Center at Rutgers University, four representatives from major food retailers, and three members of the public who exhibit relevant farming experience.  The members of the task force are to be appointed, and the task force is to organize, no later than 30 days after the effective date of the bill. 

     The task force would examine current and previous data and research related to popular food trends among consumers and discuss emerging new types of produce that can be grown by farmers and then sold within major food retailers.  The task force would also identify effective strategies to coordinate the growth and sales of new produce among farmers and major food retailers, increase public knowledge of and accessibility to new produce options, and better predict future trends among consumers. 

     The bill provides that vacancies in task force membership would be filled in the same manner as the original appointments.  The members of the task force would serve without compensation, but may be reimbursed for traveling and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties.  The bill directs the Department of Agriculture to provide professional and clerical staff to the task force as necessary.

     Within a year after the organization of the task force, the task force is to submit a report to the Governor and the Legislature concerning the task force's findings and recommendations.

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