Requires Department of Agriculture to establish program to make grants available to certain non-profit organizations for seafood gleaning operations; appropriates $250,000.
Impact
The establishment of this grant program is expected to reinforce food security initiatives within New Jersey. By facilitating the donation of surplus seafood, A3825 seeks to foster community support for low-income families who may not have access to nutritious food options. Moreover, the Department of Agriculture will be tasked with evaluating the effectiveness of the program and reporting back to the state government on the organizational impact of the grant awards, including how much seafood was donated and the reach of such donations.
Summary
Assembly Bill A3825 requires the New Jersey Department of Agriculture to establish a grant program aimed at supporting seafood gleaning operations conducted by eligible non-profit organizations. The program will provide grants up to $250,000 per year to these organizations, which will collect excess seafood from commercial fishers and donate it to emergency feeding organizations, food pantries, and shelters. This initiative is designed to aid food-insecure and low-income families throughout the state by improving access to fresh seafood resources.
Contention
While the bill aims to support food pantry and emergency feeding agencies, there may be discussions regarding the allocation of state funds and whether the $250,000 appropriated is sufficient for the intended purpose. Critics could raise concerns about ongoing funding and sustainability, especially as the Secretary of Agriculture is tasked with requesting additional appropriations annually to maintain the program. Ensuring that the non-profits meet eligibility criteria and effectively manage their programs will also be under scrutiny as the bill is implemented.
Requires Department of Agriculture to establish program to make grants available to certain non-profit organizations for seafood gleaning operations; appropriates $250,000.
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Makes FY2026 supplemental appropriation of $500,000 from General Fund to Department of Agriculture for Jersey Fresh marketing and promotion activities.