A Joint Resolution designating the Thursday of the third week of September of each year as “Food Waste Prevention Day” in New Jersey.
Whereas, Food waste is a widespread epidemic that has substantial social, financial, and environmental repercussions; and
Whereas, Federal and state laws aimed at encouraging and incentivizing food donations from both businesses and individuals have been implemented to prevent food waste; and
Whereas, While many prospective business donors are hesitant to donate excess food due to the threat of liability for food related injuries or deaths, the federal “Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act” provides robust civil and criminal protections to all people and businesses who, in good faith, donate wholesome food to nonprofit organizations for distribution to needy individuals; and
Whereas, All food donors and nonprofit organizations receiving food donations are given similar civil and criminal protections against any liability associated with their food donations under New Jersey’s “Food Bank Good Samaritan Act”; and
Whereas, The federal government also offers businesses an enhanced tax deduction for food donations made to public charities and other qualifying nonprofit organizations; and
Whereas, Despite various efforts to curb food waste, according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, as much as 40 percent, or 160 billion pounds, of all food produced in the United States each year is never eaten; and
Whereas, While Americans dispose of millions of tons of food, the United States Department of Agriculture indicates that 12.3 percent of households in 2016 did not have consistent access to enough food for an active, healthy life; and
Whereas, Coinciding with a nationwide objective set out by the United States Department of Agriculture and the Environmental Protection Agency, the State of New Jersey has established a goal to reduce the amount of food waste annually generated in the State by 50 percent by the year 2030; and
Whereas, Households can reduce food waste in a variety of ways, including buying no more groceries than are expected to be used for meals, preparing perishable foods soon after shopping, storing fruits and vegetables for maximum freshness, and being mindful of old ingredients and leftovers that need to be used; and
Whereas, Reducing food waste helps businesses and consumers save money, lessens methane emissions from landfills, conserves energy and resources for future generations, and provides support to those in the community who do not have enough to eat; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
C.36:2-352 “Food Waste Prevention Day,” Thursday of third week of September; designated.
1. The Thursday of the third week of September of each year shall be designated as “Food Waste Prevention Day” in New Jersey to bring awareness to the issue of food waste and to foster partnerships between consumers and businesses in order to create and share impactful solutions to prevent food waste.
C.36:2-353 Annual observance.
2. The Governor is respectfully requested to annually issue a proclamation calling upon public officials and the citizens of this State to observe “Food Waste Prevention Day” with appropriate activities and programs.
3. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.
Approved May 9, 2019.