Bills would help SNAP recipients comply with new federal rules and make school meals easier to access for families

(MT. LAUREL, NJ) — Assembly Speaker Craig J. Coughlin today announced that he will introduce two new bills to bolster the fight against hunger in New Jersey and ensure families can continue to access critical nutrition programs. Speaker Coughlin made the announcement at today's 2^nd Annual Garden State Conference on Food Security: Setting a Table for All, for Always, which is hosted by New Jersey’s Office of the Food Security Advocate. The event brought together hundreds of stakeholders from across New Jersey and other states dedicated to making food security a reality.

“We know that no one can solve hunger alone, and that’s why in New Jersey we’ve made it our mission not just to ease the burden for families, but to lead the way by bringing partners together at every level,” said Speaker Coughlin. “The Garden State Conference on Food Security is proof of that commitment and reminds us all that together we can build a foundation where no one gets left behind. Throughout my time in Trenton, we have prioritized making New Jersey more affordable and more secure for families, and ensuring no family goes hungry has always been at the heart of that work. I’m proud of the progress we’ve made together, and the recognition of New Jersey’s leadership is well earned as we continue to drive innovation and find new ways to meet the needs of families across our state."

While addressing the conference, Speaker Coughlin announced plans for new legislation in response to the recently enacted “One Big Beautiful” law, which will require SNAP participants to re-certify their eligibility on a semi-annual basis and require them to work, attend school or volunteer to receive benefits. Advocates warn thousands of families could be pushed out of the program if they are unable to find work or meet the new requirements.

To ensure New Jersey families are not left behind, the bill would create a new Office of Volunteerism to coordinate a wide range of volunteer opportunities and assist SNAP recipients in meeting the federal requirements without jeopardizing their benefits.

“Here in New Jersey, we’ve already made sure families get the strongest support in the nation with a $95 minimum SNAP benefit. But right now, we’re facing an insidious opponent in Washington’s so-called “One Big Beautiful” law,” said Speaker Coughlin in his remarks.

The second bill announced today would make it easier for families to access the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs by streamlining the application process. While eligibility for federal school meals programs was expanded last year to include an additional 60,000 students, not every eligible student is signed up to receive school meals.

To address this gap, the bill would require every participating school district to place a clear application icon on the front page of their website, allowing parents to easily access the program.

“We just have to do better spreading the word that more families than ever are eligible,” added Speaker Coughlin. “That way, every parent knows exactly where to go, and no child misses out on a meal just because of red tape.”

Speaker Coughlin emphasized that these proposals build on New Jersey’s historic investments in food security, including $85 million in annual funding for emergency food organizations and new State funding for the Local Food Purchase Assistance and Local Food for Schools programs, after federal cutbacks.