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

NEW GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS DIRECTOR JOINS NJFC TEAM
We are pleased to announce Scott Ross will join the NJFC staff as the Director of Government Affairs. As an attorney, Scott brings a great wealth of experience and knowledge on legislative and legal issues. Having worked for almost a decade as the Chief of Staff for Assemblyman Peter Biondi, the second ranking Republican leader in the State General Assembly, Scott’s expertise and contacts will be helpful on many regulatory and legislative initiatives.

Before joining the staff of Assemblyman Biondi, Scott worked in a law firm. He is a graduate of Seton Hall University School of Law.

Scott officially begins his tenure with NJFC on January 2. This is the closing period of Lame Duck so Scott will be on board as the new legislative session gets underway the second week of January.

We will forward to you Scott’s contact information in the coming days so members can formally welcome him to the Food Council.

BILL CREATING ENERGY EFFICIENCY STANDARDS FOR APPLIANCES HEADS TO SENATE
The Assembly approved legislation to create energy efficiency standards for a variety of appliances. The Watson Coleman/Panter/Greenstein measure (A-4156) would require the state Board of Public Utilities (BPU), the Department of Community Affairs (DCA), in consultation with the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), to establish minimum energy efficiency standards for selected commercial and residential appliances and equipment sold or installed in New Jersey. The standards, which would be based on the most recent energy efficiency guidelines under the federal ENERGY STAR program, would include products and appliances such as:

Bottle-type water dispensers;
Commercial hot food holding cabinets;
Metal halide lamp fixtures;
Residential furnaces and boilers;
Single-voltage external AC to DC power supplies;
State-regulated incandescent reflector lamps; and
Walk-in refrigerators and freezers.

The legislation would permit the BPU, every three years, to propose new products to be added to the ENERGY STAR designation list.

The measure would not apply to new products manufactured in state and sold out-of-state; new products manufactured out-of-state, sold at wholesale in-state, for final use out-of-state; products installed in pre-fabricated homes at the time of construction; and products designed expressly for installation and use in recreational vehicles. The bill passed the General Assembly and awaits action in the State Senate.

27 SPONSORS – ARE YOU A PREMIUM SUPPORTER!
The NJFC Event Sponsorship program for 2008 is growing fast! The association continues to accept commitments so be sure you are on this list. Sponsors are considered premium supporters of the Food Council.

The program will continue to include four levels of sponsorship that will entitle companies to a pre-determined number of tickets to NJFC events, including the Annual Meeting, Night of Distinction, Trade Relations Conference and the Golf Outing. In addition, event sponsors will receive recognition in NJFC publications such as the News & Views and the quarterly newsletter ExpressLine, on our web-site as well as acknowledgement in promotional materials and placement on banners at NJFC events.

We just kicked off the 2008 sponsor campaign and already NJFC members are demonstrating their strong support for this program. Let’s add your company’s name to the list of NJFC premium sponsors! Contact us today for details.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM NJFC
Due to the legislative holiday recess and inactivity in Trenton, News & Views will go on a two-week hiatus and will resume publication the first week of January 2007. NJFC would like to wish you a wonderful holiday season and continued success as we enter the New Year.

Photos Galore

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