Office of food security advocate

These sections establish the “Office of the Food Security Advocate” as a state executive branch office, and assign to that office various duties, including coordinating outreach for food security programs, such as the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program, school nutrition programs, and others. Findings are stated as section 52:27J-1 and include, for example, the declaration that “establishing an Office of the Food Security Advocate by statute will help coordinate the administration of the State’s food insecurity programs, advocate for the food insecure, and develop new policy initiatives to combat hunger and facilitate greater access to food relief programs;” and “the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic is projected to cause a disproportionate increase in the rate of food insecurity in this State compared to the national rate and neighboring states.” A definition of “food insecurity program” is provided at section 52:27J-2.