New Jersey-2014-AJR105-Introduced

A Joint Resolution designating the last full week in June each year as "Home and Community Garden Gleaning Week."

Whereas, It is estimated that 17.9 million households in the United States are food insecure, meaning they have difficulty at some time during the year providing enough food for all of their members due to lack of resources; and

Whereas, Additionally, 6.8 million households in the United States have very low food security, meaning food intake of some household members is reduced and normal eating patterns are disrupted at times during the year due to limited resources; and

Whereas, In New Jersey 1.15 million residents, including 375,000 children, are food insecure, and many of these individuals do not qualify for federal nutrition programs and must rely on local food pantries for assistance; and

Whereas, Food insecurity is harmful to all people, but is particularly devastating to children - as proper nutrition is vital to a child's physical and mental health, academic achievement, and future economic prosperity; and

Whereas, In order to ensure the health and welfare of all New Jersey residents, the State must support programs and initiatives that bring fresh, healthy food to those in need; and

Whereas, The AmpleHarvest.org Campaign was started to enable home and community gardeners in New Jersey and across the country to share their extra fruits and vegetables with food pantries and other organizations that provide produce free of charge to food insecure residents; and

Whereas, The National Gardening Association estimated that, in 2008, 31 percent of all households in the United States, or approximately 36 million households, grew their own fruits and vegetables, and that this number is growing; and

Whereas, However, because many home and community gardeners grow far more fruits and vegetables than they can possibly use, preserve, or share with neighbors and friends, many gardeners reluctantly leave their excess produce to rot in the garden, compost it, or throw it in the garbage; and

Whereas, Millions of home and community gardeners across the country with abundant harvests do not know that they can share their harvest to help those in need, or how and where they can do so; and

Whereas, At the same time, many food pantries lack fresh produce and instead rely on canned and processed produce shipped from across the country at a significant cost, both economic and environmental; and

Whereas, Home and community gardeners can help diminish food waste and eliminate hunger and malnutrition in their communities by participating in programs like AmpleHarvest.org and sharing their excess harvest with those in need; and

Whereas, Increasing the efficiency of our food system, so that all Americans have access to fresh, healthy food, is imperative, and so it is altogether fitting and proper that the State recognize "Home and Community Garden Gleaning Week"; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

1. The last full week in June each year is designated as "Home and Community Garden Gleaning Week," in order to promote awareness of food insecurity and food waste, and to encourage home and community gardeners to share their extra produce with those in need.

2. The Governor may annually issue a proclamation calling upon public officials and citizens of the State to observe "Home and Community Garden Gleaning Week" with appropriate activities and programs.

3. The Department of Agriculture shall take appropriate measures each year to publicize "Home and Community Garden Gleaning Week."

4. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.

STATEMENT

This joint resolution would designate the last full week in June each year as "Home and Community Garden Gleaning Week." It would request the Governor to annually issue a proclamation calling upon public officials and citizens to observe "Home and Community Garden Gleaning Week" with appropriate activities and programs, and require the Department of Agriculture to take appropriate measures to publicize the week.

It is estimated that 17.9 million households in the United States are food insecure, meaning they have difficulty at some time during the year providing enough food for all of their members due to lack of resources. Additionally, 6.8 million households in the United States have very low food security, meaning food intake of some household members is reduced and normal eating patterns are disrupted at times during the year due to limited resources. In New Jersey, in particular, 1.15 million residents, including 375,000 children, are food insecure, and many of these individuals do not qualify for federal nutrition programs and must rely on local food pantries for assistance.

The AmpleHarvest.org Campaign was started to enable home and community gardeners in New Jersey and across the country to share their extra fruits and vegetables with food pantries and other organizations that provide produce free of charge to food insecure residents. It was estimated that, in 2008, 31 percent of all U.S. households grew their own fruits and vegetables. However, because many home and community gardeners grow far more fruits and vegetables than they can possibly use, many gardeners reluctantly leave their excess produce to rot, compost it, or throw it in the garbage. Home and community gardeners can help diminish food waste and eliminate hunger and malnutrition in their communities by participating in programs like AmpleHarvest.org and sharing their excess harvest with those in need.