Bill
Bill > A185
summary
Introduced
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
In Committee
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026-2027 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill would establish the "New Jersey Farm to Public Institution of Higher Education Program" in the Department of Agriculture. The bill requires the department to adopt regulations that: (1) provide encouragement for public institutions of higher education that provide meal programs to expand or improve their kitchen facilities to allow for the daily production of meals that incorporate more fresh, locally grown or produced farm produce, fruit or other products; (2) establish a bidding matrix that provides for public institutions of higher education to purchase New Jersey grown food and allows them to adopt price preferences for local agricultural and farm products; (3) in conjunction with the Secretary of Higher Education, develop ways in which public institutions of higher education can increase the procurement of locally grown or produced farm produce, fruit or other products for use in meals; and (4) create a public directory for New Jersey farmers with contact information of purchasing agents at public institutions of higher education, and another public directory for purchasers with information about qualified New Jersey farmers and distributors. The bill also requires the Department of Agriculture to establish a "New Jersey Farm to Public Institution of Higher Education Program" website that provides information on the program, and includes a copy of any public contract or other written agreement for the purchase of fresh foods and the provision thereof to students, which has been entered into and successfully implemented by a public institution of higher education. Finally, the bill allows the Secretary of Agriculture to solicit and accept contributions from private and public sources for the purpose of providing support to help fund the "New Jersey Farm to Public Institution of Higher Education Program," which encourages public institutions of higher education to purchase produce from local farmers to incorporate in meals throughout the growing season, and to increase the amount of local fresh produce available for consumption by students.
AI Summary
This bill establishes the "New Jersey Farm to Public Institution of Higher Education Program" within the Department of Agriculture, aiming to increase the use of locally grown produce in meals served at public colleges and universities. The program will encourage these institutions to upgrade their kitchen facilities to better prepare fresh, local foods, and will create a system for purchasing New Jersey-grown products, potentially including price preferences for local items. It also mandates the development of strategies to boost the procurement of local produce and establishes online directories to connect New Jersey farmers and distributors with purchasing agents at these institutions. Furthermore, a dedicated website will be created to provide information about the program, facilitate purchasing networks, and promote related events, and will feature copies of successful contracts for local food purchases. The Secretary of Agriculture is authorized to accept private and public donations to support the program's goals of encouraging local food purchases and increasing student access to fresh, local produce. "Public institution of higher education" is defined to include Rutgers University, state colleges and universities, and public research universities.
Committee Categories
Agriculture and Natural Resources
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Introduced, Referred to Assembly Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee (on 01/13/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2026/A185 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/A0500/185_I1.HTM |
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