In a ceremony held on Thursday afternoon, Governor Murphy signed into law six bills intended to help New Jersey residents who suffer from hunger. The new laws include requirements to have a link on all government websites providing information of emergency government food programs, a task force to study food waste in the state, and a campaign to increase awareness of food waste.

Governor Murphy said the primary objectives of the new laws are to coordinate efforts between government agencies, reduce rural and urban food deserts, simplify digital services, tackle food insecurity in higher education, and reduce food waste.

According to recently compiled data, roughly 10% of New Jersey residents are food insecure, and some 13.5% of New Jersey children go to bed hungry. About a third of those that suffer from hunger in New Jersey earn too much to be eligible for welfare benefits. Governor Murphy addressed these disturbing numbers at a news conference following the bill signing ceremony. “In the richest nation in the world, it is a moral failure that so many of our fellow New Jerseyans don’t have enough food to eat,” said Murphy. “This comprehensive approach will allow us to leverage New Jersey’s strengths to better provide for our residents, so families can provide for themselves and their children.”

Governor Murphy thanked state Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin for spearheading the effort to pass the bills. Coughlin has made addressing hunger in the state a top priority of his, and he has put in substantial effort to assist in the quest to eliminate food insecurity in New Jersey.