3. There is created in the Executive Branch of the State Government the Office of the Food Security Advocate. For the purpose of complying with the provisions of Article V, Section IV, paragraph 1 of the New Jersey Constitution, the Office of the Food Security Advocate is allocated to the Department of Agriculture, but notwithstanding this allocation, the office shall be independent of any supervision or control by the department, or by any board or officer thereof, in the performance of its duties. The office shall have the duty to collaborate with the appropriate State agency to:

(a) coordinate outreach for food insecurity programs, including developing new initiatives and outreach campaigns and identifying best practices to increase enrollment in the State’s food insecurity programs;

(b) establish a 24-hour toll-free hunger hotline to assist in making information about the State’s food insecurity programs as widely available as possible;

(c) support grant application processes related to food insecurity for in-state providers and State departments by monitoring available grants, recommending grant applications, and assisting with the grant application process;

(d) coordinate communication with and between food banks;

(e) establish best practices for food banks to reduce food waste and to distribute more fresh produce and proteins to food insecurity programs and food banks;

(f) cooperate with research organizations and universities to monitor ongoing gap analysis that identifies areas that are underserved by current food insecurity programs;

(g) work with State and community partners to develop a strategic plan to address identified gaps in areas that are underserved by current food insecurity programs;

(h) oversee the development and implementation of public-private partnerships to address food insecurity;

(i) provide support in coordinating assistance to address food insecurity during federal or State declared states of emergency;

(j) coordinate food insecurity programming and initiatives for institutions of higher education with the Office of the Secretary of Higher Education;

(k) develop new initiatives, establish an outreach campaign, and identify best practices to reach senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and other vulnerable populations; and

(l) coordinate outreach efforts for the newly unemployed who might be eligible for food insecurity programs.

L.2021, c.242, s.3; amended 2021, c.483, s.2.