(TRENTON) – Seeking to bring awareness of the benefits of fresh, clean food, Assemblymen Eric Houghtaling, Bob Andrzejczak and Adam Taliaferro have sponsored legislation to publically promote farm-to-table restaurants on the New Jersey Division of Travel and Tourism website. The bill advanced through the Senate during the chamber’s voting session on Monday by a 40-0 vote.
“In the age of mass production and processed food, it is important to promote establishments that are providing New Jerseyans with the freshest, cleanest food,” said Houghtaling (D-Monmouth). “This will also encourage our citizens to shop and eat locally grown and produced food, which is good for our economy.”
The bill (A-1039) would have the New Jersey Division of Travel and Tourism publish all pertinent information on farm-to-table restaurants, including the name and address of the establishments, divided by region. There would be three regions, namely, north, south, and central New Jersey.
“This is a nonpartisan bill that is in the interest of all of the citizens of our great state,” said Andrzejcak (D-Cape May/Atlantic/Cumberland). “This will provide people with the knowledge necessary to make smart, healthy choices.”
The bill will also mandate the Division of Travel and Tourism to establish what precisely would qualify as ‘farm-to-table,’ and create a process by which these restaurants could register for posting on the division’s website.
“This is good for our businesses, good for our people, and good for our food,” said Taliaferro (D-Cumberland/Gloucester/Salem). “This, to me, is a no-brainer.”
The bill was initially advanced through the Assembly Tourism, Gaming, and the Arts Committee and was advanced through the full Assembly on March 26.