Sponsored by:
Assemblyman RONALD S. DANCER
District 12 (Burlington, Middlesex, Monmouth and Ocean)
SYNOPSIS
Designates September each year as “Honey Month” in NJ.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
A Joint Resolution designating September each year as “Honey Month” in New Jersey.
Whereas, Honey is a natural and delicious sweetener that contains a wide array of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and antioxidants; and
Whereas, Honey adds sweetness and complexity to toast, tea, or dessert, and it lends a subtle sweet flavor and moistness to baked goods; and
Whereas, Since the time of the ancient Egyptians, people have used honey for medicinal purposes, including to help alleviate the symptoms of the common cold, such as cough and sore throat; and
Whereas, Honey has also been used as a topical treatment for wounds, burns, and insect bites, and is known for its anti-inflammatory properties; and
Whereas, Recent scientific studies have confirmed honey’s medicinal properties, finding it useful in treating cold symptoms for children between one and five years of age, and finding it to possess bactericidal activity against many organisms, including Salmonella, Shigella, Escherichia coli, and Helicobacter pylori; and
Whereas, In 2017, New Jersey had approximately 13,000 honey-producing honeybee colonies, which produced approximately 364,000 pounds of honey; and
Whereas, New Jersey honey generated over $2.8 million in sales for farmers and artisans in 2017; and
Whereas, The citizens of the State should be encouraged to purchase more local honey, since purchasing local honey supports New Jersey farmers, keeps money in the State, and creates new jobs; and
Whereas, Honey is produced by the honeybee (apis mellifera), which was designated as the “New Jersey State Bug” by the Legislature in 1974; and
Whereas, The National Honey Board has designated September as “National Honey Month;” and
Whereas, It is proper and fitting for the Legislature to officially recognize the benefits of honey and to promote the continued use of New Jersey honey for culinary and medicinal purposes; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. The month of September each year is designated as “Honey Month” in New Jersey.
2. The Governor is respectfully requested to annually issue a proclamation calling upon public officials and the citizens of the State to observe “Honey Month” with appropriate activities and programs.
3. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This joint resolution designates September each year as “Honey Month” in New Jersey.
Honey is a natural sweetener that also contains a wide array of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and antioxidants. Honey has also been known to have medicinal properties since the time of ancient Egypt. Honey can be used to alleviate coughs and sore throats, to treat inflammation from insect bites, and to act as a natural antibacterial agent for cuts and scrapes.
In 2017, New Jersey had approximately 13,000 honey-producing honeybee colonies, which produced approximately 364,000 pounds of honey. New Jersey honey generated over $2.8 million in sales for farmers and artisans in 2017. Purchasing local honey supports New Jersey farmers, keeps money in the State, and creates new jobs.
It is thus proper and fitting for the Legislature to officially recognize the benefits of honey and honeybees and to promote the continued use of New Jersey honey for culinary and medicinal purposes by designating September each year as “Honey Month” in New Jersey.