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Committee advances two bills on campus food security: food-waste programs and SNAP outreach
Summary
The committee released S3889 (campus food-waste reduction programs) and S3890 (requirements for institutions to provide SNAP information to students). Testimony highlighted student hunger, food-safety safeguards, and existing campus programs such as the Food Recovery Network.
The Senate Higher Education Committee released two bills intended to address food waste and student food insecurity on college campuses.
Senate Bill 3 8 8 9 would require each public institution of higher education to develop and run a food-waste reduction program that redirects surplus food from dining facilities and campus events to local food-security organizations (food groups, pantries, soup kitchens, shelters and community nonprofits) while adhering to all relevant food-safety standards. The bill would also require institutions to provide an annual report detailing contributions to community food programs.
Senate Bill 3 8 9 0 would require public institutions to provide information to students about the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), including a link to the online application, and to share this information at key points in the academic year such as initial offer letters and registration emails.
April Malevsky, a registered dietitian who volunteers with the New Jersey Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and the New Jersey Food Democracy Collaborative, testified in favor of both bills. She said institutions should redirect surplus food to community partners, follow food-safety standards, and noted that student hunger is a significant problem: "Approximately one quarter of college students face hunger and food insecurity," she said in testimony recorded in the committee file. She cited Montclair State University and Rutgers as examples of campuses already engaging in Food Recovery Network efforts.
Both bills were moved and released from committee by roll call; Senators Singer, Amato, Moriarty, Zwicker and Kryon voted yes on each measure.
