Mid-June Update: Two weeks countdown to a FY27 Budget

Here is a breakdown of the key policy updates impacting New Jersey's food systems and what you need to know as we head into budget season. From protecting vital food security safety nets to investing in the future of our local farmers, several critical pieces of legislation have seen major movement over the last two weeks. Oh, and watch out nutella, we look into the recently passed Assembly bill that designates the hazelnut as the new New Jersey state nut.

With July 1st around the corner, New Jersey will soon have an approved budget! Below are a few select policy updates from the past few weeks that would impact the food systems in New Jersey. You can view our full policy tracker here. 

Latest Movement

Farm to School Local Food Procurement Reimbursement Grant Program (S1650 / A149)

Two steps closer! This is moving rapidly as budget deadlines approach. On June 8, 2026, the Senate Economic Growth Committee cleared it with a favorable 4-1 vote, advancing it directly to the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee. Its companion bill is currently being reviewed by the Assembly Appropriations Committee. Members of the NJFDC-led statewide LFS Coalition gave testimony to the Senate Economic Growth Committee including Bryanna Fogel from NJFDC, Zone 7, NJ School Nutrition Association, FoodCorps, and NJ Food Policy Council, plus Jamal Kadri from Lima Family Farms. You can hear their testimony here. 

Beginning Farmer Mentoring Program (A158 / S4334)

According to the 2022 Census of Agriculture, New Jersey has approx. 5,570 who are considered new and beginning farmers, who operate nearly 10,000 farms. To keep New Jersey agriculture alive, we need to support new farmers. This bill directs the Department of Agriculture to launch a formal mentoring program pairing new growers with established farming and educational organizations. 

On June 15, it was reported out of committee with Assembly amendments and referred to the Assembly Appropriations Committee.While we are glad to see movement, this bill has a long history. It has been introduced in various forms since the 2016/2017 session with little to no multi-year traction until now. 

 "The future of New Jersey agriculture depends on our ability to support the next generation of farmers" stated Assemblywoman Katz, Chair of the Assembly Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee. 

Sponsor Assemblywoman Fantasia (R-Sussex) remarked how “this bill is one piece of a much larger puzzle. A mentorship program helps ensure that the knowledge, skills, and real-world experience of one generation are passed on to the next. New Jersey cannot afford to lose a single farmer, and if we fail to prepare the next generation, we'll take the 'Garden' right out of the Garden State."

Promoting Volunteerism for SNAP & NJ FamilyCare Compliance (A3883)

Federal safety-net requirements are tightening, which threatens access to healthcare and food assistance for over two million New Jersey residents. This bill fights back by directing the state to support and promote volunteer networks that help vulnerable families stay compliant and keep their benefits. Passed out of the Assembly Aging and Human Services Committee on June 1, 2026, with a 4-0 vote (and 2 abstentions), advancing it to a Second Reading.

Assembly Speaker Craig J. Coughlin highlighted the high stakes of this bill during his committee testimony: 

"As federal safety-net requirements tighten, New Jersey refuses to let two million children and families slip through the cracks. A3883 weaponizes our state's spirit of volunteerism to guarantee that no senior or family loses access to healthcare or healthy food simply because of bureaucratic red tape."

Holding Corporate Polluters Accountable (S2338 / A3735)

Known as the Climate Superfund Act, this policy forces major fossil fuel companies to pay for infrastructure and adaptation projects that protect New Jersey from climate-driven crop and environmental damage. 

It is moving incredibly fast on both sides of the State House. In early June, the Assembly version was referred to the Commerce and Economic Development Committee, while the Senate version cleared its environment committee and moved directly to Senate Budget and Appropriations. 

Newly Introduced Bill Packages

The Agricultural Emergency Protection Package 

Local growers are increasingly vulnerable to sudden economic and weather crises. This new package, introduced by Senator Tiver and co-sponsored by Assemblywoman Katz, is designed to buffer those shocks.

• S4353: Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to declare an official agricultural emergency and establishes a six-month sales tax holiday on fertilizer to immediately lower overhead costs for farmers during a crisis.

• S4354: Directs the Department of Agriculture to actively identify, aggregate, and streamline federal, state, and private funding streams to support distressed farmers.

Preservation, Bulk Purchasing, and Food Waste Reduction

This group of bills focuses on lowering everyday operational costs for farmers, keeping land protected from over-development, and routing excess commercial food to those who need it.

• A5139 / S4161: Bumps up the maximum allowable funding caps for crucial farmland preservation grants distributed to nonprofit organizations.

• A4029: A brand-new, first-time introduction from Assemblymembers Katz and Sauickie that authorizes county agricultural development boards to contractually purchase farm supplies in bulk to resell them directly to local farmers at lower costs.

• S4388 / A2353 (The Farmer Supply Link & Food Donation Program): Originally introduced late in the 2024/2025 session, this bulk-purchasing and waste-reduction initiative has officially been introduced in the Senate for the first time. The bill lowers input costs for farmers while simultaneously requiring certain large supermarkets, grocery stores, and food suppliers to donate excess food to local networks under specific circumstances.

And for some New Jersey pride, Senator Zwicker introduced a bill (S2186) that designates hazelnut as state nut of New Jersey, and requests $6.5 million in state funding to help local Hazelnut growers buy equipment to sort, shell, and package nuts for sale and secure a processing site. The assembly partner bill (A3392) passed the Assembly on June 11th (59-16), and has now been received in the Senate. However,  Brian Bergen (R-Morris) blasted the bill as a “moronic, awful, stupid, crazy, nutty piece of legislation.” Assembly member Stanley however stood up for Hazelnuts stating how they are “the most promising engine for economic development offered to rural communities in decades… hazelnuts are testament to the balanced spirit of innovation and resilience that lies at the heart of what it means to be a New Jerseyan.”