SENATE HEALTH, HUMAN SERVICES AND SENIOR CITIZENS COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

[First Reprint]

ASSEMBLY, No. 4701

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  JANUARY 17, 2019

      The Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee reports favorably Assembly Bill No. 4701(1R).

      This bill requires the Department of Human Services, in consultation with the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Health, to create, maintain, and update, as appropriate, an online portal, in the form of an Internet website, and links to information, as provided in the bill, to facilitate collaboration of surplus food donations among nonprofit organizations, gleaners, and food retailers in the State.  The online portal is to be designed and function in a manner that maximizes communication among all entities that wish to donate and receive surplus food within the State to minimize the amount of surplus food that is wasted.  The online portal is to provide real-time information on surplus food resources as well as the logistical resource needs of surplus food from donors, food banks, and gleaners and non-profit organizations that transport donated food and, in providing that information, is to serve as an online logistics chain for the movement of surplus food throughout the State.

      The bill allows the online portal to be hosted by a nonprofit organization pursuant to an agreement entered into between the Department of Human Services and a nonprofit organization.  A nonprofit organization hosting the online portal would demonstrate a proficiency in understanding the needs of the diverse food donors and recipients of donated food, and would adhere to certain food safety measures listed in the bill.

      The online portal is to include, but not be limited to:

      (1) the name and contact information of a donor and a description of the surplus food available for donation or the food needing to be gleaned, as appropriate;

      (2) the name and contact information of a nonprofit organization available to receive surplus food to be donated or gleaned;

      (3) links to certain federal laws and the model code concerning food safety listed in the bill;

      (4) a statement describing the provisions of the “Food Bank Good Samaritan Act” and that act’s liability protections available for food donations, gleaning, and other related activities;

      (5) a link to the Department of Agriculture’s guidance document that provides information to farmers, food banks, surplus food donors, nonprofit organizations, and other persons in the State and information on the federal liability protections available for food donations, gleaning, and other related activities; and

      (6) a link to Department of Agriculture’s web page for "New Jersey Gleaning Week" and "Farmers Against Hunger Day."

      As reported by the committee, Assembly Bill No. 4701(1R) is identical to Senate Bill No. 3238 (1R) which was also reported by the committee on this date.