Bill Tracker Update, Week of March 9, 2026
Welcome to our first bill tracker update of the new legislative session! As the 222nd New Jersey Legislature gets underway, we aim to track all legislations that align or have implications on our policy priorities, however tracking a bill does not indicate our supporting or opposing it. You can read more about our 2026 Policy Agenda here, which is centered on 4 pillars: Regenerative Farming Sector, Farm & Food System Worker Advancement, Regional Food System Resilience, and Healthy Food for All. Below is an update on some of the legislation we are tracking.
1. On Thursday, February 19, A1872 (Kennedy/Stanley/Haider) was heard in the Assembly Environment and Solid Waste Committee. The bill exempts community gardens from needing DEP permits for on-site composting and organic waste management, provided they meet certain volume thresholds. The committee voted 6 in favor, with 0 against, showing strong bipartisan support for sustainable local waste management. This legislation directly addresses our goal of reforming local regulations to support small-scale and urban agriculture.
2. On Tuesday, February 24, A2078 (Carter/Verrelli/Calabrese) saw significant movement, passing the full Assembly by a vote of 73-6. This bill requires the State Treasurer to establish a public registry of out-of-state contractors awarded public works contracts in New Jersey. This is a critical transparency measure that ensures contractors from outside the state are held to the same standards as our local businesses when working on agricultural and public infrastructure projects. The bill has now been received in the Senate and referred to the Senate State Government, Wagering, Tourism & Historic Preservation Committee.
3. The "Local Food for Schools" legislation has been officially reintroduced as S1650 (Zwicker/Turner). This bill would establish the Farm to School Local Food Procurement Reimbursement Grant Program in the NJ Department of Agriculture, and appropriate $4.5 million for FY27 for schools to purchase from NJ farmers. It also allows schools to use some of the funds to expand their school kitchens’ capacity and ability to prepare and serve local foods, and allocates $500,000 to the Department of Agriculture to effectively administer this new program. It was referred to the Senate Economic Growth Committee on January 13.
This same piece of legislation was passed by the state Assembly last year, although it did not clear the state Senate in time. NJFDC is in support of this bill and hopes to see it passed this year.
A coalition officially formed and is growing; it is committed to working together to secure a Local Food for Schools program in NJ ASAP. The coalition is:
NJ School Nutrition Association
NJ Vegetable Growers Assoc.
NJ Farm Bureau
The Common Market
Zone 7
NJ Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
NOFA-NJ
NJ Food Democracy Collaborative is helping to coordinate and lead these partners.
4. A4032 (Sauickie/Fantasia) was introduced on February 12 and referred to the Assembly Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee. This bill authorizes counties to establish mentoring programs and allows them to resell preserved farmland at a reduced price to beginning farmers. Its Senate companion, S317, is currently pending in the Senate Economic Growth Committee.
5. The "Farm Labor Equality Act" has been reintroduced as A1988/S1075. This works to ensure fair working conditions and workforce stability. As this bill begins its path through the Assembly Agriculture and Senate Labor Committees, this is a great opportunity for farm and food system workers to share their perspectives on how this policy impacts their livelihoods and the long-term sustainability of the food system in NJ.
Real food system reform depends on the collective voice of the farmers, workers, and neighbors who navigate our food system every day. We encourage you to check out our grassroots advocacy tool kit, no matter where you see yourself in the food system, we are all food citizens who deserve equitable, resilient food policies now and for the future.