ASSEMBLY HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 4707

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  NOVEMBER 29, 2018

      The Assembly Human Services Committee reports favorably Assembly Bill No. 4707.

     This bill would require the Department of Agriculture, in consultation with the Community FoodBank of New Jersey to create a public awareness campaign to educate the general public on food waste prevention by raising awareness regarding:

     (1)   strategies to reduce wasteful shopping, which may include the benefits of creating a shopping list; and

     (2)   the benefits of freezing meat close to the expiration date; and

     (3)   the meaning of date labels definitions such as “use by,” “sell by,” and “best buy.”

     The department would be required to encourage the reduction of food waste through the donation or composting of leftover food, and would further be required to develop and distribute appropriate informational materials regarding food waste, which may include, but need not be limited to, the use of social media, television, radio, or print media.