Conaway Bill Forming Office of Food Insecurity Advocate Signed into Law - TAPinto.net
TRENTON, NJ — With more than one million New Jersey residents needing food assistance as a result of the hardships imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, a bill sponsored by Assembly Speaker Craig J. Coughlin, Assemblyman Vincent Mazzeo and Assemblyman Herb Conaway creating the Office of Food Insecurity Advocate to help address food insecurity in the state was signed into law earlier this month.
The law (formerly bill A5884 / S3945) establishes the Office of Food Insecurity Advocate within the Executive Branch of the State Government to improve access to food relief programs, develop new policy initiatives to combat hunger, and serve as an advocate for food insecure residents.
"We have many different organizations and agencies throughout our state working to address food insecurity in New Jersey," said Assemblyman Conaway (D-Burlington), who represents Bordentown in the Legislature. "Designating one office to help bring these groups together and coordinate anti-hunger efforts is an efficient way to ensure more of our residents receive the food assistance they need."
The duties of this office will include, but not be limited to, developing initiatives and campaigns to increase enrollment in food insecurity programs; coordinating communication with / between food banks; encouraging the reduction of food waste at food banks; working with various partners to address food insecurity and gaps in food assistance programming; and more.
"This pandemic has taken a toll on countless residents – many of whom are struggling to put food on the table for the first time in their lives," said Speaker Coughlin (D-Middlesex). "Food insecurity has far-reaching, long-term effects that must be addressed on behalf of New Jersey families and communities. A Food Insecurity Advocate will help ensure our efforts to assist residents in need are as effective and helpful as possible."
"Now, more than ever, a Food Insecurity Advocate is needed to ensure our residents receive the relief they need as many grapple with food insecurity due to pandemic-related financial difficulties," said Assemblyman Mazzeo (D-Atlantic). "This office will play a critical role in helping our state develop anti-hunger policy initiatives and improve existing programs and services for families in need."
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source: https://www.tapinto.net/towns/bordentown/sections/government/articles/conaway-bill-forming-office-of-food-insecurity-advocate-signed-into-law
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