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Policy
At the New Jersey Office of the Food Security Advocate (OFSA), we believe that policy isn’t just about numbers and bills—it’s about how discussions and decisions at all levels impact everyday life across New Jersey. Supporting the advancement of policy that is aligned with ongoing food security work is a focus area for OFSA. To coincide with that work, this space is where we break down what’s happening at the state and federal levels and explain what it means for communities. OFSA’s goal is to provide accurate, impartial information and updates about policies related to food security so community organizations, coalitions, philanthropy, and local decision makers can stay informed and engaged.
Please note: OFSA does not recommend or endorse any advocacy actions in support of or in opposition to any legislation. Similarly, OFSA does not comment on legislation. It is up to each organization, coalition, neighborhood, community and industry/sector and their partners to determine what, if any, actions or positions to take.
Find factual, neutral information about recently passed bills and resolutions, and their implications for New Jersey residents’ food security. This section is part of OFSA’s effort to make policy information more easily accessible so all New Jerseyans can better understand the potential outcomes of new legislation.
Recently Passed Bills:
AJR229 - A Resolution Concerning the Right to Adequate Food
Date Introduced: June 27, 2025
Bill basics: Recognizes the right to adequate food and sets the foundations for promoting, protecting, respecting, and ensuring people can fully enjoy this right to adequate food.
A5684/S4055 - Expanded Student Access to Free School Lunches
Date Approved: January 16, 2024
Bill basics: Authorizes limited expansion of income eligibility to qualify public and nonpublic school students for free lunch; requires certain nonpublic schools to provide meals to all students under “Working Class Families’ Anti-Hunger Act”.
A5086/S3491 - State SNAP Minimum Benefit Program
Date Approved: February 8, 2023
Bill basics: Increases the minimum monthly benefit for New Jersey recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) from $50 to $95 and authorizes the NJ Department of Human Services to increase the program benefit amount.
A2368/S1677 - Working Class Families' Anti-Hunger Act
Date Passed: September 9, 2022
Bill basics: Requires schools to provide free school breakfasts and lunches to students from working class, middle-income families
Legislative Reviews Developed by OFSA
This policy brief series, developed by OFSA, summarizes and provides timely insight into federal proposed actions that could directly or indirectly impact food and nutrition programs and policies directly, or to indirectly impact everyday food security for individuals and families in New Jersey. While a familiarity with policy is helpful, it is not necessary when reading the briefs. The briefs are intended to be accessible to readers regardless of their previous experience with policy.
These briefs highlight selected, trusted sources. However, they don’t cover every perspective on the topic. OFSA encourages use of the briefs as a tool alongside additional sources for following news and legislative updates.
To receive the legislative briefs directly to your email inbox, send OFSA a message in the Contact Us form.
Congress is back in session after the summer recess, with only a short window to act before key deadlines. This issue highlights three major areas that could affect New Jersey families and programs:
- Government Funding: Federal funding runs out on September 30. Without a continuing resolution or full-year appropriations bill, the government could shut down—leading to staff furloughs and pauses in programs that support NJ families.
- Farm Bill: While some nutrition provisions were included in the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” earlier this year, lawmakers are now discussing a “skinny farm bill” focused on conservation, farm loans, rural broadband, and commodity supports.
- PRWORA and Public Benefits: Recent federal changes to how the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA) is interpreted could limit access to key programs for immigrant residents. These changes are subject to legal challenge.
Read the full Brief, Issue #6 to learn how these debates may impact food security programs and families in New Jersey.
This issue covers the passage of a sweeping new tax and spending bill (P.L. 119-21) signed into law on July 4. While the law extends the 2017 tax cuts and boosts defense spending, it also makes significant cuts to Medicaid (NJ FamilyCare) and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), reshaping how these programs will work:
- New SNAP work rules: Adults up to age 64, including parents of older children, must work or volunteer at least 80 hours per month.
- Cost-sharing for states: For the first time, states must begin paying a share of SNAP benefits and most administrative expenses.
- Benefit changes: Caps on inflation adjustments to SNAP benefits and new restrictions on eligibility that exclude most refugees and asylees.
- Program cuts: The SNAP-Ed program, which serves families across New Jersey and the nation, is terminated.
These changes may ripple into school meals, since eligibility for free school meals is tied to SNAP and Medicaid (NJ FamilyCare) enrollment.
The brief also shares agriculture updates, with the House Agriculture Committee resuming farm bill work after budget reconciliation, and highlights upcoming community events and resources, including a Summer Resource Packet and the Food Insecurity Index (now available statewide).
Read the full Brief, Issue #5 to see how the new policies may impact New Jersey families, schools, and farmers.
This issue highlights a time-sensitive opportunity for New Jersey schools: the June 30 deadline to opt into the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP). CEP allows schools to serve free breakfast and lunch to all students, reducing meal debt and stigma while helping families save money. Hunger Free NJ reports that 357 districts are eligible for 2025–26, representing over 600,000 students who could benefit.
The brief also shares updates from federal budget negotiations that could affect programs like SNAP and Medicaid. Resources from the NJ Department of Human Services and Department of Children and Families are included to help communities and leaders stay informed about proposed changes. Agriculture news is also covered, including responses to the House Agriculture Committee’s budget markup and its impact on both farm and nutrition priorities.
Read the full Brief, Issue #4 to explore these updates, access resources, and learn what they mean for food security in New Jersey.
This issue covers major federal policy developments with big implications for food security and agriculture. The Trump administration announced widespread new tariffs on U.S. trading partners, including China and the European Union, raising concerns about retaliation and potential harm to farmers. USDA officials signaled support for farmers, but uncertainty remains about when and how relief will arrive.
The brief also tracks budget negotiations, as the Senate advanced a framework for a multi-trillion-dollar plan covering defense, immigration, and tax cuts. Key provisions include extending the 2017 tax cuts, raising the debt limit, and new funding for border enforcement and defense spending.
In nutrition policy, the administration is moving toward allowing states to restrict what foods SNAP benefits can buy—such as soda—and may also approve waivers for states to change how summer meals are distributed. At the same time, Senator Cory Booker introduced the Honor Farmer Contracts Act, which would require USDA to honor existing farmer contracts and prevent abrupt cancellations that disrupt farms and nonprofits.
Read the full Legislative Review, Issue #3 to explore these updates and what they could mean for New Jersey families, farmers, and food programs.
This issue focuses on federal budget developments and their impact on food programs. Congress passed a continuing resolution to fund the government through September 30, 2025, including a boost for WIC, but with cuts proposed for SNAP and Medicaid. These potential changes could strain families and increase pressure on food banks and pantries. Budget reconciliation efforts remain in flux as several House seats await election results.
In agriculture, the USDA announced new economic aid for farmers but also cancelled two major programs—the Local Food for Schools Cooperative Agreement and the Local Food Purchase Assistance Program. New Jersey stood to lose $26 million in funding, directly affecting school meal programs and dozens of local farmers. State leaders strongly opposed the decision.
Other updates include possible SNAP benefit cuts tied to changes in the Thrifty Food Plan, discussions about restricting purchases of soda and candy, and ongoing tariff escalations with Canada and Mexico that could drive up food costs.
Read the full Brief, Issue #2 to see how these shifts in federal policy could affect New Jersey families, farmers, and food programs.
This first issue highlights major federal updates with direct connections to food security and agriculture. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins spoke to county leaders about streamlining USDA programs, moving forward on a new farm bill, and supporting farmers through upcoming tax reforms. She also announced the launch of the Emergency Commodity Assistance Program, releasing $31 billion in aid and disaster relief for farmers.
President Trump addressed Congress, confirming that new tariffs on agricultural products will take effect April 2, which he acknowledged may cause some short-term disruptions. Rollins and other officials promised to support farmers through bailouts and economic aid. Additional USDA actions included preparing for bird flu response, resuming conservation program funds, and emphasizing protections for family farms.
Budget negotiations are also underway, with the House calling for $230 billion in agriculture cuts—expected to come largely from SNAP—while the Senate has proposed at least $1 billion in cuts.
Read the full Brief, Issue #1 to learn how these federal shifts could shape farm policy, food supply, and nutrition programs.