“Startling Statistics… Illustrate the Need to Encourage a More ‘Waste Not, Want Not’ Approach to Food Production.”

– Mejia, Benson, Quijano & Lopez

on Signing of AJR-174 Into Law

(TRENTON) – On their measure urging large food retailers located in this state to reduce food waste, Assembly Democrats Pedro Mejia, Daniel Benson, Annette Quijano and Yvonne Lopez released the following statement after Assembly Joint Resolution 174 was signed into law by the Governor today:

“One in 9 residents in New Jersey does not have enough food to eat. And between one third and one half of all food produced goes to waste worldwide. These are startling statistics when placed side by side, but they illustrate the need to encourage a more ‘waste not, want not’ approach to food production.

          “Letting food go to waste is a frivolous use of natural resources that drives up costs, inflates food prices, and weaken the food supply chain. This especially in a world where many homes are not food secure.

          “Encouraging large food retailers to partner with farmers and educating consumers on waste reduction will save consumers money in the long run and may even help to feed more families with the right programs in place.”