Bill Text: NJ AJR162 | 2018-2019 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Designates first full week in August of each year as "Farmers Market Week."
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2018-10-15 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee [AJR162 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2018-AJR162-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Assemblyman PARKER SPACE
District 24 (Morris, Sussex and Warren)
SYNOPSIS
Designates first full week in August of each year as "Farmers Market Week."
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
A Joint Resolution designating the first full week in August of each year as "Farmers Market Week."
Whereas, Farmers markets provide consumers access to locally grown fruits, vegetables, and other foods, while also giving farmers the opportunity to develop a personal relationship with their customers; and
Whereas, Farmers markets serve local communities by increasing access to fresh, nutritious, and affordable food, supporting good health, stimulating local economies, and promoting sustainability; and
Whereas, Farmers markets and other locally owned food businesses return more than three times as much of their revenue into the local economy than do chain competitors, which helps create jobs and boosts local economic activity; and
Whereas, Farmers markets are expanding access to fresh food for people of all income levels; and
Whereas, With support from the United States Department of Agriculture, more farmers markets offer customers the opportunity to make purchases with the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, the Women, Infants, and Children Farmers' Market Nutrition Program, and the Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program; and
Whereas, According to industry estimates, the national market for local and regional foods was valued at $12 billion in 2014; and
Whereas, Farmers markets create new business opportunities for farmers interested in selling sustainably produced food, such as organic products and chemical or pesticide-free products; and
Whereas, These markets also encourage farmers and the community to educate each other about nutrition, cooking, and farming; and
Whereas, Each year in August, "National Farmers Market Week" celebrates the farmers, ranchers, and local food businesses, as well as the communities that support them; and
Whereas, It is important that "Farmers Market Week" in New Jersey coincide with "National Farmers Market Week" so as to properly and fully recognize the key role these markets have in both the State and the nation; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. The first full week of August in each year is designated as "Farmers Market Week" in the State of New Jersey.
2. The Governor is respectfully requested to annually issue a proclamation calling upon public officials and citizens of the State to recognize the key role of farmers markets in local communities by observing "Farmers Market Week" with appropriate activities and programs.
3. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill designates the first full week in August of each year as "Farmers Market Week" in the State of New Jersey in order to recognize the key role of these markets in our local communities.
Farmers markets serve local communities by increasing access to fresh, nutritious, and affordable food, supporting good health, stimulating local economies, and promoting sustainability.
"Farmers Market Week" in New Jersey will coincide with "National Farmers Market Week" each year so as to properly and fully recognize the key role these markets have in both the State and throughout the nation.
