Sponsored by:
Senator THOMAS H. KEAN, JR.
District 21 (Morris, Somerset and Union)
SYNOPSIS
Urges Governor and Legislature to establish programs to help eliminate food deserts.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
A senate Resolution urging the Governor and Legislature to establish programs to help eliminate food deserts.
Whereas, There are certain areas of the State, known as "food deserts," which are areas where residents are unable to obtain nutritious foods; and
Whereas, Food deserts lack fresh foods, such as fresh meats, fruits, and vegetables; and
Whereas, Instead, available foods are often processed and high in sugar and fats, which can contribute to a variety of health issues; and
Whereas, Food deserts and exist in rural and urban areas and tend to be inhabited by low-income residents with reduced mobility; and
Whereas, Food deserts develop in the absence of supermarkets and grocery stores; and
Whereas, Grocery stores and supermarkets offer opportunities to purchase affordable, fresh, and nutritious food and also create local jobs; and
Whereas, The establishment of incentives to grocery stores and supermarkets to open locations in food deserts may be a path by which to create jobs and ensure residents of food deserts are provided the ability to purchase nutritious foods; and
Whereas, It is altogether fitting and proper to respectfully urge the Governor and the Legislature to work together to create programs to incentivize the establishment of grocery stores and supermarkets in food deserts; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of New Jersey:
1. This House respectfully urges the Governor and the Legislature to work together to create programs to incentivize the establishment of grocery stores and supermarkets in food deserts.
2. Copies of this resolution, as filed with the Secretary of State shall be transmitted by the Secretary of the Senate to the Governor and to each member of the Legislature.
STATEMENT
This resolution urges the Governor and Legislature to establish programs to help eliminate food deserts.
There are certain areas of the State, known as "food deserts," which are areas where residents are unable to obtain nutritious foods. Food deserts lack fresh foods, such as fresh meats, fruits, and vegetables. Instead, available foods are often processed and high in sugar and fats, which can contribute to a variety of health issues. Food deserts and exist in rural and urban areas and tend to be inhabited by low-income residents with reduced mobility.
Food deserts develop in the absence of supermarkets and grocery stores. Grocery stores and supermarkets offer opportunities to purchase affordable, fresh, and nutritious food and also create local jobs. The establishment of incentives to grocery stores and supermarkets to open locations in food deserts may be a path by which to create jobs and ensure residents of food deserts are provided the ability to purchase nutritious foods.
The resolution urges the Governor and the Legislature to work together to create programs to incentivize the establishment of grocery stores and supermarkets in food deserts.