Bill Text: NJ S2561 | 2012-2013 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Authorizes public schools to serve to students certain produce grown in community garden.
Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Democrat 4-1)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2014-01-09 - Substituted by A3019 (2R) [S2561 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2012-S2561-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Senator M. TERESA RUIZ
District 29 (Essex)
Senator SANDRA B. CUNNINGHAM
District 31 (Hudson)
SYNOPSIS
Authorizes public schools to serve to students certain produce grown in community garden.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning produce served in schools and supplementing chapter 33 of Title 18A of the New Jersey Statutes.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. a. As used in this section, "community garden" means public or private land upon which individuals have the opportunity to garden on pieces of land that they do not individually own.
b. Consistent with all other applicable laws, a school district may serve to students fresh produce that has been grown in a community garden, provided that:
(1) the soil in the community garden has been tested for contaminants and is safe for growing food for student consumption;
(2) water sources used for the community garden have been tested for contaminants and are safe for growing food for student consumption;
(3) the produce has been handled, stored, transported, and prepared safely and in accordance with applicable federal, State, and local health and sanitation requirements; and
(4) such other criteria as determined by the Secretary of Agriculture are met.
c. The Secretary of Agriculture, in consultation with the State Board of Education, shall promulgate regulations pursuant to the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), necessary to effectuate the provisions of this act.
2. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill would allow a school district to serve students fresh produce that has been grown in a community garden, provided that: the soil and water used in the garden have been tested and are safe for growing food for student consumption; the produce has been handled, stored, transported, and prepared safely and in accordance with applicable federal, State, and local health and sanitation requirements; and any other criteria identified by the Secretary of Agriculture have been satisfied. A school district must act consistently with all other applicable laws when providing students with fresh produce from a community garden. The bill defines "community garden" as public or private land upon which individuals have the opportunity to garden on pieces of land that they do not individually own.
The presence of community gardens, which provide an opportunity for local residents to grow fresh fruits and vegetables, is increasing in our State. Community gardens that partner with schools could provide fresh, nutritious locally grown produce to be incorporated into school meals and snacks, as well as offer educational opportunities for students.
