Ruiz, Cunningham Bill to Better Facilitate Food Donation Clears Committee

TRENTON – Legislation sponsored by Senator M. Teresa Ruiz and Senator Sandra Cunningham, which would create a website to help facilitate food donations, cleared the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee today.

“Hundreds of thousands of people in New Jersey wake up every day unsure of where their next meal will come from. With food insecurity impacting roughly 10 percent of the state population, it is crucial we maximize the available resources” said Senator Ruiz (D-Essex). “Making it easier for individuals with surplus food to donate, while also making the process easier for organizations seeking donations, will ensure we have fully stocked food pantries and as little food waste as possible.”

The bill, S-3238, would require the Department of Health to create a website to better facilitate food donations between nonprofit organizations, gleaners and food retailers. The website would be designed to maximize communication and connectivity between entities that wish to donate and wish to receive food.

“The world produces more than enough food to feed the entire population, but unfortunately a significant amount of that food goes bad and gets thrown away before its eaten,” said Senator Cunningham (D-Hudson). “This legislation will help to better facilitate food donations, so we can get more food to the organizations who need it, rather than it going in the trash.”

The website would provide real-time information on available surplus food, entities in need of food and logistical resources available. It would be run by the state or by a nonprofit organization. The website would include information regarding donors, the food they have available and nonprofit organizations available to receive food.

The bill is part of an anti-hunger package of bills to help address food waste and food insecurity in New Jersey.

The bill was released from committee by a vote of 10-0, and next heads to the full Senate for further consideration.