New Jersey Food Council
30 West Lafayette St., Trenton, NJ 08608
Phone: 609/392-8899
Fax: 609/396-6571
Email: njfc@njfoodcouncil.com

Breaking News: Paid Family Leave Expected to be Considered in Senate Committee Thursday

On Thursday, the Senate Budget & Appropriations Committee will be meeting to consider S-2249, which extends Temporary Disability Insurance (TDI) to provide family leave benefits to workers caring for sick family members, newborns and newly adopted children.   Conflicting reports are circulating around the Capitol regarding whether the Committee will release the bill in its current form or adopt amendments.

NJFC and members have met with both sponsors and expressed the industry's strong opposition to this bill. With New Jersey businesses already facing rising interest rates, skyrocketing fuel and healthcare costs and a stagnant economy, this bill will further reinforce New Jersey's reputation as being anti-business. NJFC will keep members up to date with any new developments.  

NJFC Trade Relations Conference a Great Success!

This week, NJFC members gathered together at the Tropicana in Atlantic City for the Food Council's Annual Trade Relations Conference. The event provides invaluable networking opportunities for NJFC members and is one of the many great trade programs offered to the membership. This year's program was kick started by a golf outing at the exclusive Galloway National Golf Course.  

At the event, the Trade Relations Committee honored Jim Ostling of George Weston Bakeries with the Max Stone Trade Relations Award, while Bruce Weitz, CEO of Kings Supermarkets, was the featured guest speaker.  

NJFC would like to thank the Trade Relations Committee for their hard work in organizing the Conference to strengthen trade relations among the industry and advance the mission of the Food Council.

NJFC to Meet with Assembly Majority Leader

The New Jersey Food Council will be meeting with Assembly Majority Leader Bonnie Watson-Coleman at the State House on Tuesday May 22, 2007 to discuss the industry's opposition to her legislation to regulate Radio Frequency ID (RFID) technology.  

A-3996 would require any business using a Radio Frequency ID system to post notices at the point of sale that informs customers that a RFID system is in use; attach labels to merchandise which contain RFID tags stating that completion of a purchase for the item will result in the collection of information about the customer; and disable, detach or destroy RFID tags upon completion of a purchase.

This bill would place significant burdens on the retail industry because it would require additional posting of notices in retail locations, which are already saturated with State and Federally mandated signage requirements. In addition, the bill misrepresents the use of RFID as a loss prevention technology and will create panic among consumers. NJFC is opposed to this bill because it will stop any future advancement of this technology regarding product recalls and consumer safety.

Assembly Environment Committee Discusses Energy Efficiency Standards

This week, the Assembly Environment Committee met to discuss A- 4156, which would establish new energy efficiency standards for specific commercial and industrial appliances and equipment sold or installed in New Jersey. The new standards would be based on the most recent energy efficiency guidelines adopted by various states and the U.S. Energy Star program.  

Appliances listed in the bill that could affect the retail food business include commercial hot food holding cabinets, lamp fixtures and walk-in refrigerators and freezers. In addition, the bill allows for the BPU to designate additional products to be required to meet efficiency standards.  

The bill was held for discussion only and NJFC will continue to track this legislation and advise the membership of any new developments.

NJFC Researching Voluntary Shopping Bag Recycling Opportunities

NJFC has begun investigating new opportunities to pursue voluntary shopping bag recycling programs to help reduce supply cost and improve the environment.  

NJFC believes that voluntary private sector programs are the best way to address this issue and caution lawmakers to reject State mandates such as A-3994, sponsored by Assemblywoman Stender. This bill does not offer incentives for business and cost savings opportunities through recycling but rather imposes additional mandates and further reinforces New Jersey's reputation as being unfriendly to business.  

Photos Galore

Don't forget to check out our library page to view photographs from our events including our recent Loss Prevention Conference & Exhibition.