NJ S1247

New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) must update school food waste guidelines within 90 days of the bill's enactment to address utilization of food nearing best-by and expiration dates

Updated guidelines must include recommendations for improved food purchasing, storage, and usage methods to ensure older food items are consumed before recently purchased items

DEP, Department of Education, and Office of the Secretary of Higher Education must post the updated guidelines on their respective websites

Amends P.L.2017, c.210, which established voluntary food waste reduction guidelines for K-12 schools and institutions of higher education

Addresses pre-consumer food waste, which according to New Jersey's 2019 School Food Waste Guidelines accounts for 4-10% of all food purchased by schools