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

NJFC SHOPPING BAG RECYCLING INITIATIVE UNDERWAY
An initial "soft launch" of a member supported Shopping Bag Recycling effort known as BagSmart Recycling is underway in the South Jersey market area being coordinated and implemented by Penn Jersey Supply. Shopping bag recycling bins are being set up at approximately 80-100 food store locations. Goodwill, a partner in the program, is developing routes and has started collection of the recycled bags.

Several NJFC members are participating including Pathmark Stores, McCaffrey's Markets, Murphy's Markets of South Jersey, and Pennington Quality Market.

NJDEP is promoting this BagSmart shopping bag recycling initiatives to all county and township recycling coordinators.

Partnerships with the newspaper media have been established to promote BagSmart in the South Jersey marketing areas. The overall response has been very strong and we hope every food retail member who does not offer a shopping bag recycling and reduction program will consider participating.

NJ BUSINESS OUTLOOK: FROM BAD TO WORSE
As reported by the NJ Business and Industry Association this week, Rutgers professors released a report giving statistical proof to the abounding anecdotal evidence that New Jerseyans, particularly wealthy New Jerseyans, are leaving the state in record numbers. Highlights include:

In more bad business news for NJ, the Tax Foundation (www.taxfoundation.org) took a look at all 50 states, to compare each state’s business climate ranking. Not surprising, New Jersey didn’t fare so well:

Overall rank: 49th

According to this report, NJ is considered second only to Rhode Island in terms of having the worst business climate in the nation. Last year, New Jersey ranked 47th.

ELECTION LAW ENFORCEMENT COMMISSION UNVEILS NEW “PAY TO PLAY” WEB SITE
On Wednesday October 10, 2007 the Election Law Enforcement Commission (ELEC) made public the new Pay-to-Play Disclosure Web site. The web site was created because of recently enacted legislation that addresses political contributions made by business entities that are party to or are attempting to win contracts with New Jersey government entities at the State and local level by September 29, 2007. Currently included in the regulations are non profits, however they have been given and extension until October 30, 2007. You can visit the new web site at the following web address: https://wwwnet1.state.nj.us/lpd/elec/ptp/AdvancedSearch.aspx:

GOVERNOR CORZINE WARNS OF LARGER THAN EXPECTED BUDGET DEFICIT NEXT YEAR
Initially the deficit had been projected to be $2.5 billion and while revenue projections are 1.4% ahead of forecasts, this week the Governor said the State could be facing a budget deficit as large as $3.5 billion next year or approximately 10% of total State revenues. Deficits that size are difficult to overcome without major spending cuts, tax increases or a combination of both. NJFC will be monitoring the States fiscal condition and keep members informed of the situation as it continues to develop.

NJ DEPARTMENT of HUMAN SERVICES PROPOSES NEW RULES on MEDICAID MORATORIUM
The Department proposed additional rules regarding the moratorium on enrollment of new providers of pharmaceutical benefits. The specific language states, “At N.J.A.C. 10:51-1.2(a)2, a new subparagraph (a)2i is proposed which would establish that a retail pharmacy that is physically located within a hospital, Federally Qualified Health Center or supermarket would meet the special needs criteria. The term “supermarket,” when used in this paragraph, would be defined to mean a food store with grocery, meat, dairy and produce departments with $2 million minimum annual sales from these departments to retail customers.”

The public has until November 30, 2007 to submit written comments regarding the proposed rule. The proposed rule can be found in its entirety at: http://www.state.nj.us/humanservices/Rules/07P23MORATORIUMAmendments.doc

NJFC LOSS PREVENTION COMMITTEE SPONSORS NORTHEAST RETAIL LOSS PREVENTION CONFERENCE
NJFC Loss Prevention Committee will be holding the Annual Northeast Retail Loss Prevention Conference and Exhibition, on October 30, 2007 at the Forge Inn in Woodbridge. This year’s conference will feature “A Town Hall Meeting” with United State Attorney for the District of New Jersey, Christopher Christie.

The conference will be highlighted by a vendor fair that will showcase the latest in Loss Prevention security systems, services and products. In addition, the Loss Prevention Leadership Awards will be presented to Barry Elliott, Food Circus Supermarkets and Mark Morro, Staples, Inc.

For registration details call the NJFC Office at 609-392-8899.

Photos Galore

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