Agriculture
Despite having the highest population density of any state, New Jersey is called the Garden State for a reason. Our farmers produce fresh, abundant quantities of some of the most popular fruits and vegetables, which help keep our families healthy.
In fact, New Jersey ranks among the top four states in production of blueberries, cranberries, peppers, peaches and spinach and is also a major producer of tomatoes, eggplant, apples, strawberries, cucumbers, sweet corn, asparagus, head lettuce, and more.
In the past, farm bills have supported commodity crops in the Midwest, but have done little to help farmers of fruits and vegetables. That’s why I fought to ensure that New Jersey's fruit and vegetable farmers received a better deal in the 2008 Farm Bill. I also worked to ensure that the Farm Bill did more to conserve farm land and provide food for needy families.
We must also continue to do more to promote healthy and fresh locally grown foods in New Jersey through farmers’ markets, school lunch and other nutrition programs, as well as by encouraging local stores to purchase locally grown produce. While the number of family farms nationwide has decreased in recent years by about 80,000, the number in New Jersey has actually grown by 400. This is good, not only for New Jersey farmers, but for our families and our environment.
In fact, New Jersey ranks among the top four states in production of blueberries, cranberries, peppers, peaches and spinach and is also a major producer of tomatoes, eggplant, apples, strawberries, cucumbers, sweet corn, asparagus, head lettuce, and more.
In the past, farm bills have supported commodity crops in the Midwest, but have done little to help farmers of fruits and vegetables. That’s why I fought to ensure that New Jersey's fruit and vegetable farmers received a better deal in the 2008 Farm Bill. I also worked to ensure that the Farm Bill did more to conserve farm land and provide food for needy families.
We must also continue to do more to promote healthy and fresh locally grown foods in New Jersey through farmers’ markets, school lunch and other nutrition programs, as well as by encouraging local stores to purchase locally grown produce. While the number of family farms nationwide has decreased in recent years by about 80,000, the number in New Jersey has actually grown by 400. This is good, not only for New Jersey farmers, but for our families and our environment.
Highlights
- Sponsored the Healthy Farms, Foods and Fuels Act. Legislation expands the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program to schools in all states, giving more children access to healthy snacks. It expands the Farmers Market Promotion Program and provides additional funding for programs that allow seniors and low-income families to obtain food at farmers markets. The bill also would provide for increased conservation of farmland.
- As part of the 2008 Farm Bill, successfully enacted into law provisions of the Healthy Farms Act, including:
- Expansion of the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program to every state in the country, targeting benefits to low-income children, giving them a healthier snack option that will lead to healthier habits in school and at home.
- Additional funds for the Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program to award grants to state governments to provide low-income seniors with coupons that can be exchanged for healthy foods at farmers’ markets, roadside stands, and community supported agriculture programs.
- Restoring the authority of schools to buy local foods in the School Lunch Program to support local farms while giving their children fresher and more nutritious food options.
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