Bill Text: NJ AR155 | 2018-2019 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Urges President and Congress to enact measures to provide enhanced federal subsidy to public schools that use local produce for school meals.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 4-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2018-04-05 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee [AR155 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2018-AR155-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Assemblyman ERIC HOUGHTALING
District 11 (Monmouth)
Assemblyman ADAM J. TALIAFERRO
District 3 (Cumberland, Gloucester and Salem)
Assemblyman BOB ANDRZEJCZAK
District 1 (Atlantic, Cape May and Cumberland)
Co-Sponsored by:
Assemblyman Calabrese
SYNOPSIS
Urges President and Congress to enact measures to provide enhanced federal subsidy to public schools that use local produce for school meals.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Assembly Resolution urging the President and Congress of the United States to enact measures to provide an enhanced federal subsidy to public schools that use local produce for the federal School Breakfast Program and the National School Lunch Program.
Whereas, Many Americans suffer from chronic diseases such as obesity, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and hypertension; and
Whereas, There is strong evidence linking these chronic diseases to dietary choices and their occurrence may be preventable through improved nutrition; and
Whereas, Nutritional needs vary from one person to another, depending on genetics and other health factors, and therefore it is important to have a variety of nutrient-dense foods available for students in schools; and
Whereas, Schools are in a position to promote improved nutrition through healthy diet options in student meals; and
Whereas, Schools should incorporate healthy diet options into their meals to promote healthy eating practices and to set an example for what a healthy diet looks like; and
Whereas, New Jersey produces more than 100 different kinds of local fresh fruits and vegetables which could be consumed in schools around the State; and
Whereas, In 1984, the New Jersey Department of Agriculture created the first-in-the-nation State-sponsored agricultural branding program, Jersey Fresh, in order to distinguish the high quality of New Jersey-produced fruits and vegetables from others in the marketplace; and
Whereas, The logo, Jersey Fresh, indicates that the contents have been inspected and meet standards equal to, or better than, U.S. No. 1 standards; and
Whereas, Jersey Fresh produce is distinctive in quality and freshness because it is grown in New Jersey and harvested at its peak ripened stage; and
Whereas, When produce is picked at its peak of flavor and freshness, more of the very important vitamins and minerals in each type of produce are retained within the commodity; and
Whereas, Fresh, local fruits and vegetables are an important part of a healthy diet because they provide essential nutrients that are linked to the prevention of chronic health problems like obesity and can lower blood pressure, reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke, prevent some types of cancer, lower the risk of eye and digestive problems, and have a positive effect upon blood sugar; and
Whereas, Using local Jersey Fresh produce in schools may increase awareness of the important role fresh, local produce plays in promoting good health and of its availability in the State; and
Whereas, Using Jersey Fresh produce in schools may contribute to better overall eating habits by students, teachers, and visitors; and
Whereas, During a time when obesity, cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, and hypertension are soaring nationwide, it is imperative that schools, whenever possible, give preference to Jersey Fresh and other agricultural food products and commodities grown or raised in New Jersey when entering into or renewing a contract for the purchase of such goods; and
Whereas, It is therefore in the best interest of the citizens of New Jersey to urge the President and Congress to enact measures to provide an enhanced federal subsidy to public schools in the State that use local produce for the federal School Breakfast Program and the National School Lunch Program; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. The President and the United States Congress are respectfully urged to enact measures to provide an enhanced federal subsidy to public schools in the State that use local produce for the federal School Breakfast Program and the National School Lunch Program.
2. Copies of this resolution, as filed with the Secretary of State, shall be transmitted by the Clerk of the General Assembly to the President of the United States, the Majority Leader of the United States Senate, the Minority Leader of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, the Minority Leader of the United States House of Representatives, each member of Congress elected from the State of New Jersey, the Secretary of the United States Department of Agriculture, and the Secretary of the New Jersey Department of Agriculture.
STATEMENT
This resolution urges the President and the United States Congress to enact measures to provide an enhanced federal subsidy to public schools in the State that use local produce for the federal School Breakfast Program and the National School Lunch Program.
Many Americans are suffering from chronic diseases such as obesity, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and hypertension. These chronic diseases are strongly related to dietary choices and are preventable through improved nutrition, and schools are in a position to promote improved nutrition through healthy diet options in school meals.
Jersey Fresh produce is distinctive in quality and freshness because it is grown in New Jersey and harvested at its peak ripened stage, allowing important vitamins and minerals in each type of produce to remain within the commodity. Fresh, local fruits and vegetables are an important part of a healthy diet because they provide essential nutrients that are linked to the prevention of many chronic health problems. Using Jersey Fresh produce in schools may increase awareness of the important role that local, fresh produce plays in promoting good health and of its availability in the State.
