TRENTON, NJ – Assembly Bill No. 2271, designating cranberry juice as the State juice of New Jersey, has received favorable reporting from the Assembly Agriculture and Food Security Committee, along with committee amendments.
The bill was signed into law by former Acting Governor Nick Scutari last week.
The proposal was inspired by the advocacy of fourth-grade classes in Cinnaminson township schools in New Jersey. The state’s rich history with cranberries is well-documented, predating the arrival of the first European settlers in the Western Hemisphere. New Jersey started commercial cranberry farming in 1835 in a bog in Burlington County and now ranks as the third largest cranberry producing state in the United States.
Elizabeth Lee, a New Jersey native, was among the first to create jellied cranberry sauce from the berries in 1912. She later joined forces with other farmers to start what became known as Ocean Spray, a company recognized for its cranberry products.
Research supporting cranberry juice’s nutritional value and potential health benefits adds to the reasoning behind the bill. Since New Jersey does not currently have a State juice, the recognition of cranberry juice as such would underline its historical and cultural significance in the state.
The bill’s advancement reflects New Jersey’s commitment to honoring its agricultural heritage, with cranberries playing a key role in the state’s economy and identity. The decision to designate cranberry juice as the State juice is seen as a fitting tribute to an industry that has contributed to the state for nearly two centuries.