POLICY DATABASE
Policy Summary

Requires all grocery stores licensed under the chapter to meet minimum stocking levels for a specified list of staple foods, including milk; cheese; eggs; proteins; fruits and vegetables; juices; whole grain cereals; whole grains; canned beans; and dried peas, beans, and lentils. Items must be in good condition (not expired, spoiled, overripe, etc.).

Background Information

State New Jersey
Jurisdiction Name Passaic
Jurisdiction Type City,
Population Size 50,000-200,000
Legal Strategies
  • Requires something, sets standards
Reach Community-wide
Food System Category Distribute; Get;

Policy Details

Refers to priority populations?
Yes

Law refers to "corner stores" and "bodegas." § 162-1. Also, stores that accept "government supplemental nutrition programs" are not eligible for exemption even if they qualify as an "accessory use grocery." See § 162-2 (definition of "accessory use grocery").

Emergency management?
No
Health-related linkage?
Yes

Law refers to "lack of access to healthy food" as a problem; that the law seeks to futher "public health, safety, and welfare," and states that the city seeks to " increase healthier food choices . . . and encourage healthier communities" § 162-1.

Environmental linkage?
No

Economic linkage?
Unclear

Law refers to a goal of "creat[ing] healthier businesses." § 162-1.

Includes findings?
No

Has a stated intent or purpose?
Yes

The law's purpose statement includes the following: "The City of Passaic recognizes that the lack of access to healthy food is a problem in many neighborhoods in New Jersey, including Passaic, and that many residents of Passaic depend upon small, neighborhood stores for food purchases. The City ... believes every community deserves access to healthy, affordable food...." The purpose of the law is "to increase access to fresh, healthy, affordable foods by ensuring that grocery stores, corners stores and/or bodegas in the City of Passaic provide a certain minimum level of healthy food to increase healthier food choices, create healthier businesses, and encourage healthier communities." § 162-1.

Includes definitions?
Yes

§ 162-2

Addresses implementation?
No

Enforcement provisions?
Yes

"The general penalty provisions of the Code of the City of Passaic shall govern violations of this chapter." § 162-6.

Evaluation component?
No

Requires extra investment?
No

Code context and ordinance history

Chapter 162 (Grocery Stores) is found in Title II (General Legislation). History: It was adopted on 6-27-2017 by Ord. No. 2110-17, which can be found at: http://ecode360.com/documents/PA1001/source/LF968912.pdf.

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