ASSEMBLY AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 503

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  FEBRUARY 22, 2021

      The Assembly Agriculture Committee reports favorably Assembly Bill No. 503.

      This bill allows producers to sell freshly-baked products at farm markets that are offered in wrapped or covered containers, for sanitation purposes, without being weighed. 

      Under current law, all articles of food that are capable of being measured and sold by dry capacity measure are required to be sold based on the avoirdupois net weight or numerical count only.  However, an exception is made for articles of food offered for sale by bona fide farmers at a farm market, but only if the food is in open or uncovered standard containers.  This bill clarifies that the law does not apply to certain articles of food offered for sale at a farm market  by producers of baked goods that are offered in covered or wrapped containers for health or sanitation purposes.  The bill defines “producer” as a baker of freshly baked or made products, including but not limited to cakes, cookies, desserts, muffins, pastries, pies, treats, or other baked goods, excluding bread.

      This bill was pre-filed for introduction in the 2020-2021 session pending technical review.  As reported, the bill includes the changes required by technical review, which has been performed.