A Healthier New Jersey: A Vision for Organic, Sustainable Dining
A Healthier New Jersey: A Vision for Organic, Sustainable Dining
As your governor, I am committed to improving the health and well-being of every resident in New Jersey. Let’s face it—our state’s fast-paced lifestyle often leads us to grab quick, convenient meals, but healthy options are hard to come by. Across our neighborhoods, fast-food chains dominate the scene: a McDonald’s next to a Wendy’s, a Taco Bell just down the road. Yet, these establishments offer little in terms of organic, sustainable, or healthy options, and much of their food is fried in unhealthy seed oils. It’s time for a change.
The Current Challenge
I recently explored apps like Healthy Anywhere, which helps locate restaurants offering organic, gluten-free, or local menu options, and Seed Oil Scout, which identifies eateries that avoid cooking with seed oils. The results were startling: only three restaurants in the entire state appeared as organic options. This doesn’t reflect the reality I know—there are more eateries doing great work but lacking visibility. That’s a problem we can solve together.
Our Vision: Transforming New Jersey’s Food Landscape
I want to make New Jersey a national leader in healthy, organic, and sustainable dining. We’ll achieve this by supporting local eateries in transitioning to organic and sustainable practices while encouraging national organic fast-food chains to establish locations here. Importantly, this isn’t about forcing kale smoothies on everyone—it’s about food that’s delicious, accessible, and good for you.
Our Plan to Build a Healthier New Jersey
Financial Support for Restaurants:
Partner with the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJ EDA) to offer low-interest loans to help local restaurants make the shift to organic and sustainable menus.
Work with the USDA to secure grants for these establishments.
Provide generous tax incentives, including reducing business taxes to zero for restaurants that achieve 100% organic, sustainable operations and eliminate seed oils from their kitchens.
Immediate Benefits for Leaders in Organic Dining:
Restaurants already operating as 100% organic, sustainable, and seed-oil-free will receive an instant tax break for five years, rewarding their commitment to health and sustainability.
Promoting Sustainability in Foodware:
Encourage the use of biodegradable and eco-friendly packaging and utensils to further reduce environmental impact.
Engaging Communities:
We need an army of advocates—mothers, families, and health-conscious individuals—to drive this movement. Help identify restaurants that meet these standards and ensure they’re listed on apps like Healthy Anywhere and Seed Oil Scout.
Encourage New Jersey residents to frequent these establishments, boosting their revenues and proving that healthy dining is viable and profitable.
Public Awareness Campaigns:
Launch statewide initiatives to educate residents about the benefits of choosing organic and sustainable food. Showcase participating restaurants to build excitement and community engagement.
The Ripple Effect: Healthier Communities, Stronger Economy
Investing in healthier food options will lead to healthier New Jerseyans. By reducing rates of diet-related illnesses, we can lower healthcare costs and insurance premiums. This, in turn, will decrease the state’s expenditures on social services, creating a win-win for our residents and our economy.
Moreover, as more establishments adopt these practices, we’ll create a statewide movement that attracts even more businesses to follow suit. With zero taxes for qualifying restaurants, the message is clear: New Jersey prioritizes the health of its people and the planet.
Join the Movement
To make this vision a reality, we need everyone’s participation. Together, we can redefine the dining landscape of New Jersey—one meal at a time. By supporting organic, sustainable, and seed-oil-free restaurants, we’re investing in our health, our environment, and our future.
New Jersey, let’s lead the nation in healthy living. This isn’t just a policy; it’s a movement. Are you in?
