There is established in the Department of Human Services, the New Jersey Hunger Prevention and Nutrition Assistance Program.
The purpose of the program is to: improve the health and nutritional status of State residents in need of food assistance, supplement the efforts of emergency food programs in the State to reduce hunger, and enable families and individuals to become food secure and self-sufficient.
a. The Commissioner of Human Services shall establish the program in conjunction with the regional food banks in the State.b. The goals of the program are to:(1) enhance the accessibility and availability of safe, nutritious food and food-related resources;(2) develop and provide comprehensive nutrition education programs;(3) periodically conduct assessments of the needs of persons requesting food assistance and hunger-related issues to ensure program funds are used effectively; and(4) empower persons requesting food assistance or at risk of needing food assistance to increase their independence from emergency food assistance programs. L. 2001, c. 62, s. 2, eff. 4/19/2001.