Sponsored by:
Assemblyman TIM EUSTACE
District 38 (Bergen and Passaic)
SYNOPSIS
Designates pork roll, egg, and cheese as New Jersey State Sandwich.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act designating the pork roll, egg, and cheese sandwich as the New Jersey State Sandwich and supplementing chapter 9A of Title 52 of the Revised Statutes.
Whereas, For over 150 years, pork roll has been a staple in New Jersey, commonly served as a breakfast sandwich with egg and cheese on a hard roll; and
Whereas, According to New Jersey folklore, pork roll made its first appearance during the Revolutionary War where it was carried as field rations by soldiers of the Continental Army during the Battle of Trenton; and
Whereas, The first official pork roll product became popular in the late 19th century when Taylor Provisions, Inc., based in Trenton, began selling “Taylor’s Prepared Ham,” begetting the nickname, “Taylor Ham”; and
Whereas, In 1906, the federal Pure Food and Drug Act was enacted, forcing Taylor Provisions to rename the product “Taylor’s Pork Roll,” which initiated the ongoing debate between residents of northern and southern New Jersey as to whether the beloved cured meat should be referred to as “pork roll” or “Taylor Ham”; and
Whereas, Though it may be difficult to find pork roll outside of New Jersey, State residents are able to walk into nearly any local diner to satisfy their pork roll cravings; and
Whereas, Pork roll has become an important part of popular culture in New Jersey, inspiring several pork roll-themed festivals, websites, social media fan pages, and merchandise, as well as a song entitled, “Pork Roll Egg & Cheese” written by the band “Ween”; and
Whereas, As a result of the immense popularity and the great historical and cultural significance of pork roll in the State, the pork roll, egg, and cheese sandwich has become synonymous with New Jersey; now, therefore,
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. The pork roll, egg, and cheese sandwich is designated as the New Jersey State Sandwich.
2. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill designates the pork roll, egg, and cheese sandwich as the official State Sandwich of New Jersey.
Pork roll has been a New Jersey staple for over 150 years. It was first produced in the late 19th century by Taylor Provisions, Inc., though according to State folklore, pork roll made its first appearance in the Battle of Trenton during the Revolutionary War, when it was carried as field rations by soldiers of the Continental Army. Over time, pork roll, especially the pork roll, egg, and cheese sandwich, has become synonymous with New Jersey, and an important part of the State’s history and popular culture.