Bill Text: NJ AJR84 | 2016-2017 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Designates second weekend in July as "Cooking with Kids Weekend."
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Republican 3-1)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2016-04-04 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Women and Children Committee [AJR84 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2016-AJR84-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Assemblyman PARKER SPACE
District 24 (Morris, Sussex and Warren)
Assemblyman BOB ANDRZEJCZAK
District 1 (Atlantic, Cape May and Cumberland)
Assemblyman RONALD S. DANCER
District 12 (Burlington, Middlesex, Monmouth and Ocean)
SYNOPSIS
Designates second weekend in July as "Cooking with Kids Weekend."
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
A Joint Resolution designating the second weekend in July of each year as "Cooking with Kids Weekend" and encouraging the use of Jersey Fresh products.
Whereas, Parental involvement has a significant impact on the development of a child, even more so than a child's socioeconomic status; and
Whereas, Studies have shown that children who lack parental involvement tend to engage in unhealthy behaviors at a much higher rate, including poor eating habits which may lead to health issues such as obesity; and
Whereas, Childhood obesity increases the risk of heart disease, diabetes, bone and joint problems, sleep apnea, certain kinds of cancer, and social and psychological issues like stigmatization and poor self-esteem; and
Whereas, The obesity rate has more than doubled in children and quadrupled in adolescents in the past 30 years; and
Whereas, The current rate of childhood obesity in the United States is alarmingly high, with a reported 17 percent of children and adolescents considered overweight or obese; and
Whereas, Encouraging children to develop healthy eating habits is crucial to reducing childhood obesity and improving the overall health outcomes of New Jersey's youth; and
Whereas, Children are more likely to eat healthy foods when they are involved in selecting and preparing their meals; and
Whereas, Children who help their parents plan, shop for, and prepare family meals learn valuable lessons about nutrition, responsibility, teamwork, problem solving, and multi-tasking, and have a feeling of accomplishment which can boost self-esteem, all while developing math, science, and reading skills; and
Whereas, The future success of our State rests in the hands of our youth, therefore we should instill in our children, not only the importance of eating healthy, but of being conscientious consumers and citizens as well; and
Whereas, Purchasing and cooking with locally-grown Jersey Fresh fruits and vegetables is a great way to teach children the importance of a healthy diet, while supporting local farmers and the State economy; and
Whereas, With over 9,000 farms producing Jersey Fresh fruits and vegetables, New Jersey is a national top-10 producer of cranberries, bell peppers, spinach, peaches, blueberries, cucumbers, sweet corn, squash, tomatoes, snap beans and cabbage, providing New Jersey residents with access to a variety of fresh and nutritious foods; and
Whereas,
Designating the second weekend in July of each year as "Cooking with Kids Weekend"
will encourage parents to give their children the attention they need to grow
into healthy and conscientious adults; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. The second weekend in July of each year is designated as "Cooking with Kids Weekend" in order to encourage parents and children to spend time together in the kitchen preparing a healthy meal using Jersey Fresh fruits and vegetables.
2. The Governor may annually issue a proclamation calling upon public officials, private organizations, and all citizens and residents of this State to observe the weekend with appropriate activities and programs.
3. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This joint resolution designates the second weekend in July of each year as "Cooking with Kids Weekend." The joint resolution encourages parents to spend quality time with their children preparing healthy meals using Jersey Fresh produce in order to teach children the value of a healthy diet and how to be a conscientious consumer.
Childhood obesity is widely considered to be an epidemic in the United States, having a devastating impact on the health of our children. Over the last 30 years, the rate of obesity has more than doubled in children and quadrupled in adolescents. At present, approximately 17 percent of America's youth are obese or overweight. This alarming trend can be mitigated by encouraging parents to spend more time with their children, and educating their children about the importance of a healthy diet.
With respect to healthy eating, residents of New Jersey have the advantage of living in a state that has over 9,000 farms and is a national top-10 producer of 11 different fruits and vegetables, making a variety of nutritious foods readily available. Cooking with Jersey Fresh fruits and vegetables not only facilitates a healthy diet, but also supports local farmers and the State economy and teaches children the importance of supporting their community.
