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

Menu Labeling Bill Held in Committee!

This week Senate Bill S-2264, which would require food establishments to provide certain nutritional information for food or beverage items on menus and menu boards, was held in the Senate Health and Human Services Committee. The bill, sponsored by Senators Buono and Karcher, was strongly opposed in committee by a combined effort of business groups including NJFC, and was held by Chairman Vitale.

This is a solid victory for NJFC members who would be subject to onerous menu labeling requirements and potential frivolous lawsuits if this bill were to become law. The food distribution industry strongly supports the work of the State Obesity Prevention Task Force, which has developed recommendations for sound public policy in regard to obesity prevention. The report does not recommend Menu Labeling, food bans or restrictions but rather advocates a comprehensive community based approach.

While the bill still maybe considered in the Lame Duck session after the November Election, NJFC will continue to track S-2264 and work to protect the membership from onerous mandates on the food industry.

Federal Minimum Wage Increase Signed into Law

President Bush has signed into law legislation that provides for an increase in the federal Minimum Wage and offers business a series of tax breaks designed to offset the impact of the increase. The Minimum Wage Increase was included as part of a supplemental Iraq War spending bill negotiated between Congress and the President.

The increase will be implemented in three steps with the first increase to $5.85 per hour beginning on July 23, 2007. The second increase to $6.55 per hour will be implemented 12 months later on July 23, 2008 and the final increase to $7.25 per hour will kick in 12 on July 23, 2009.

Final approval of a Minimum Wage increase at the federal level will have a harmful impact on business in New Jersey, which is still reeling from a state imposed Minimum Wage hike to $7.15 per hour that took effect in October of 2006. The federal law will increase the wage ten cents higher then the State minimum in July 2009, thus raising the cost of doing business in New Jersey.

The $4.8 billion tax relief package includes an extension of the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) to August 31, 2011; an extension of Section 179 expensing for small business, coupled with an expansion of the expensing limit to $125,000; and a family business tax simplification that allows married couples who jointly own an unincorporated business to file as a sole proprietorship instead of a partnership.

Pay-To-Play Filing Update

The Election Law Enforcement Commission (ELEC) has announced that the Business Entity Annual Statement (Form BE) and filing instructions are now available on the Commissionπs website at w. According to the law, any business entity that has received $50,000 or more in a calendar year through agreements or contracts with public entities, must file an annual disclosure statement with the Commission.

The statement is required to be filed electronically by September 28, 2007 and will report activity relevant to calendar year 2006. The statements will be disclosed on the Commissionπs website after the September 28, 2007 deadline. All subsequent annual statements will be due by March 30 and will report information relevant to the previous calendar year. For further information, please review the Pay-to-Play section on the Commissionπs website.

Immigration Bill Falters in U.S. Senate

A vote of 45-50 was cast against limiting debate on the controversial Federal Immigration bill, which would legalize millions of people in the U.S. currently here unlawfully. The bill fell short of the 60 votes necessary and could help block efforts to bring the bill to a final vote in the U.S. Senate.

The legislation, which is supported by President Bush, includes measures to tighten the borders, institute a new system to prevent employers from hiring undocumented workers and provides up to 12 million illegal immigrants a pathway to legal status.

Have You Registered for the NJFC Annual Golf Outing?

The NJFC Annual Golf Outing will be held on July 23, 2007 at the Suburban Golf Club in Union, New Jersey.

The Annual Event features 18 holes of spectacular golf with a choice of A.M. or P.M. shot-gun starts and provides networking opportunities with top New Jersey Food industry executives. A continental breakfast will be served along with a delicious BBQ luncheon overlooking the beautiful course. The event will close with an open bar cocktail reception with hearty carving stations, mouthwatering hors dπoeuvres, international foods and hot dishes. Also featured will be golf awards, spectacular door prices and raffles for participants.

Sponsorship opportunities, goody bag donations and tee signs are still available. Please call NJFC at (609) 392-8899 to register today!

Photos Galore

Don't forget to check out our library page to view photographs from our events.