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AR 112

Urges schools to implement share tables in order to reduce food waste and help alleviate food insecurity.

2024-2025 Regular Session Introduced by Andrea Katz and 1 co-sponsor

NJ Assembly urges all public schools to implement share tables to cut cafeteria waste and ease food insecurity; non-binding, no funding, promotes district adoption.

Introduced in the Assembly, Referred to Assembly Children, Families and Food Security Committee
#education #food
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Bill Summary · AR 112

Summary of AR 112 (New Jersey)

Overview

AR 112 is an introduced Assembly resolution that urges all New Jersey schools to implement share tables in their cafeterias. It is non-binding and seeks to promote food waste reduction and the alleviation of food insecurity in the state. The measure was introduced on February 22, 2024 and referred to the Assembly Children, Families and Food Security Committee. A companion bill exists in the Senate as SR 14.

Purpose and intent

  • The primary goal is to encourage school districts to adopt share tables—designated areas in cafeterias where unopened, unconsumed foods can be placed for other students to take or for donation to food pantries.
  • The resolution frames share tables as a low-cost, simple, scalable method to recover food and support food-insecure residents, while also teaching students environmental and ethical stewardship.

Key provisions

  • Section 1: The General Assembly urges every school in the state to implement a share table system in its cafeteria to reduce food waste and help alleviate state-level food insecurity.
  • Section 2: Directs that copies of the resolution, once filed with the Secretary of State, be transmitted to:
    • the Governor
    • the state’s food insecurity advocate (appointed under N.J. law)
    • the Commissioner of Education
    • the State Board of Education
    • for dissemination to all public school districts
  • The resolution includes standard “Whereas” statements that emphasize the benefits of share tables, existing waste concerns, and related public health and environmental considerations.

Background and supporting context

  • Share tables allow students to place items they do not consume or have opened, which other students can take or that can be donated to food pantries.
  • The resolution cites several statistics:
    • USDA: about 21% of a school lunch’s caloric value is discarded as waste.
    • USDA: 30–40% of the total U.S. food supply is discarded, with 31% discarded at the consumer level.
    • New Jersey DOH: about 9% of residents are food insecure; about 10% of children under 18 are food insecure.
  • It notes that share tables can reduce waste disposal costs and greenhouse gas emissions while addressing food insecurity, and can complement existing programs such as offer-versus-serve (OVS) in schools.

Who is affected

  • Public school districts throughout New Jersey, including cafeteria operations and food service staff.
  • State education and health agencies, including the Department of Education and the State Board of Education.
  • The Governor and the state’s food insecurity advocate, who would disseminate information to districts.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Status: Introduced in the Assembly and referred to the Assembly Children, Families and Food Security Committee.
  • As a resolution, it is non-binding and does not create new requirements or funding; it serves to advocate and encourage adoption.
  • A companion measure exists: SR 14 (Senate companion).

Potential impact and considerations

  • Potential to increase adoption of share tables across districts, improving food waste reduction and aiding food-insecure residents.
  • May prompt the development of state guidance on implementation, safety, and operational best practices (e.g., handling of unopened items, donation pathways, and liability considerations).
  • Implementation could require coordination with health and safety guidelines, local districts, and food banks or pantries; the resolution itself does not specify funding or detailed procedures.

Related measures

  • Companion Senate Resolution: SR 14
  • Related context references include ongoing school food waste initiatives like offer-versus-serve.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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