ASSEMBLY APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE

 

STATEMENT TO

 

ASSEMBLY, No. 4707

 

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

 

DATED:  DECEMBER 10, 2018

 

      The Assembly Appropriations Committee reports favorably Assembly Bill No. 4707.

      This bill requires 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.”

      Pursuant to the bill, the department is required to encourage the reduction of food waste through donating or composting leftover food and 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.

 

FISCAL IMPACT:

      The Office of Legislative Services (OLS) determines that the bill would produce an annual State expenditure increase to the General Fund to develop and distribute informational material regarding food waste. 

      The OLS is unable to determine a precise cost estimate since the type of informational material to be utilized for distribution has not been determined.