Bill Text: NJ AJR114 | 2018-2019 | Regular Session | Chaptered
Bill Title: Designates last full week of July of each year as "Buy Local Week."
Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Democrat 10-2)
Status: (Passed) 2019-05-13 - Approved P.L.2019, JR-12. [AJR114 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2018-AJR114-Chaptered.html
§§1,2 -
C.36:2-359 &
36:2-360
§3 - T&E
A Joint Resolution designating the last full week of July of each year as "Buy Local Week."
Whereas, Buying from local farms helps consumers get products that are fresher and have traveled a much shorter distance before reaching the consumer's plate; and
Whereas, Additionally, buying from local farms helps promote cleaner air and water, since it takes less energy to transport products over shorter distances, thus reducing the carbon footprint on the planet; and
Whereas, Buying locally produced food also keeps money circulating in the local community; and
Whereas, Furthermore, buying locally produced food helps to ensure that the benefits of our farms survive for many years to come; and
Whereas, Buying locally produced food also helps link local producers directly with consumers, which fosters local community development and also serves to highlight the health and economic benefits that farms provide; and
Whereas, The "Buy Local Challenge" was created by the Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission and has since become a statewide program; and
Whereas, The Buy Local Challenge encourages all citizens of Maryland to take a pledge to eat at least one locally grown or raised product each day of the Buy Local Challenge Week, which is always the last full week of July; and
Whereas, New Jersey would benefit greatly by participating in a similar Buy Local Week Challenge by taking the pledge; and
Whereas, New Jersey citizens can shop at local farms, farm stands, farmers' markets, wineries, grocers, and markets that stock local products; and
Whereas, Furthermore, as part of the Buy Local Challenge, residents can eat at restaurants that serve local farm food; and
Whereas, Even though New Jersey is one of the smallest states in the nation by land mass and is the most densely populated state, it is also among the national leaders in the production of certain crops, ranking among the top 10 states in the production of cranberries, bell peppers, spinach, peaches, blueberries, cucumbers, sweet corn, squash, tomatoes, snap beans, and cabbage; and
Whereas, New Jersey's local agricultural production goes beyond fruit and vegetable crops to include field crops, seafood, dairy, wineries, breweries, distilleries, beekeeping, and other categories of agricultural enterprises; and
Whereas, The importance of agriculture to the State is reflected in its nickname the "Garden State," and the State's agriculture and food industry is valued in the billions of dollars; and
Whereas, It is therefore imperative to increase public awareness of the important role of agriculture in the continued life, health, and prosperity of all citizens of this State and of the nation by promoting "Buy Local Week"; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. The last full week of July of each year is designated as "Buy Local Week" in order to increase public awareness of the important role of agriculture in the continued life, health, and prosperity of all citizens of this State and of the nation.
2. The Governor is respectfully requested to annually issue a proclamation calling upon public officials and citizens of the State to observe "Buy Local Week" with appropriate activities and programs.
3. Copies of this resolution, as filed with the Secretary of State, shall be transmitted by the Clerk of the General Assembly or the Secretary of the Senate to the Secretary of Agriculture.
4. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This joint resolution designates the last full week of July of each year as "Buy Local Week." Buying from local farms:
1) allows consumers to get products that are fresher and have traveled a much shorter distance before reaching the consumer's plate;
2) helps promote cleaner air and water, since it takes less energy to transport products over shorter distances, thus reducing the carbon footprint on the planet;
3) keeps money circulating in the local community; and
4) helps link local producers directly with consumers, which fosters local community development and also serves to highlight the health and economic benefits that farms provide.
The "Buy Local Challenge" was created by the Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission and has since become a statewide program. The Buy Local Challenge encourages all citizens of Maryland to take a pledge to eat at least one locally grown or raised product each day of the Buy Local Challenge Week, which is always the last full week of July. New Jersey would benefit greatly by participating in a similar Buy Local Week Challenge by taking the pledge. New Jersey citizens can shop at local farms, farm stands, farmers' markets, wineries, grocers, and markets that stock local products. Furthermore, as part of the Challenge, residents can eat at restaurants that serve local farm food.
Designates last full week of July of each year as "Buy Local Week."
