Designates October of each year as "Cider Month" in NJ.

AJR152

ASSEMBLY JOINT RESOLUTION

No. 152

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

222nd LEGISLATURE

�

INTRODUCED FEBRUARY 24, 2026

Sponsored by:

Assemblyman� MICHAEL INGANAMORT

District 24 (Morris, Sussex and Warren)

Co-Sponsored by:

Assemblyman Scharfenberger, Assemblywomen Flynn and
Fantasia

SYNOPSIS

���� Designates October of each year as �Cider Month� in
NJ.

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

���� As introduced.

��

A Joint
Resolution
designating October of each year as �Cider Month� in New
Jersey.

Whereas,

Various drinks can be made from the juice of an apple, including: 1) sweet
cider, a non-alcoholic juice that results from pressing apples, 2) hard cider, an
alcoholic drink made from sweet cider, and 3) applejack, a distilled liquor
made from hard cider; and

Whereas,

Cider was a popular drink among colonists in the United States, and colonists
first planted apple orchards in New Jersey in the 17th century; and

Whereas,

Some of the first and largest cider operations in the country were located in
northern New Jersey, and, by the end of the colonial period, the cider produced
in Newark was renowned around the United States; and

Whereas,

Northern New Jersey was one of the most significant apple growing and cider
producing regions in the United States for more than 200 years; and

Whereas,

Hard cider production declined and was almost extinct in New Jersey by the
middle of the 18th century because grain alcohol could be produced far more
cheaply and with less labor; and

Whereas,

During the first quarter of the 21st century, the cider industry in New Jersey
was revived as new cideries began opening across the State; and

Whereas,

The modern cideries in New Jersey operate on a relatively small scale, which
allows the cideries to experiment with different flavors and produce unique
products; and

Whereas,

Cider production is labor intensive and, accordingly, has the potential to
create jobs for New Jersey citizens; and

Whereas,

The New Jersey cider industry supports the State�s agricultural industry, which
made $1.5 billion in sales and included 2,481 acres of apple orchards in 2022, by
purchasing apples grown in the State for cider production; and �

Whereas,

Orchard farmers in the State may increase their income, reduce waste, and
ensure greater food safety by selling a value-added product like cider; and

Whereas,

The New Jersey cider industry also supports the State�s agrotourism industry, which
made $67 million in sales and created 641 jobs in 2024, by producing cider in
scenic facilities on family-friendly farms and by hosting events and festivals
that attract visitors to the State each year; and

Whereas,

The United States cider industry recognized October as �National Cider Month�
to celebrate cider, cidermakers, and the harvest season, which is at its height
in New Jersey from September 1 to October 25; and

Whereas,

Designating October as �Cider Month� in New Jersey would promote the State�s expanding
cider industry, which would, in turn, support the State�s apple producing
industry and the portions of the State�s agrotourism industry associated with
apple picking and cider production; now, therefore,

����
Be It
Resolved
by the Senate and General Assembly of
the State of New Jersey:

���� 1.��� The month of October is designated as
�Cider Month� in New Jersey to celebrate the apple harvesting season and promote
the State�s growing cider industry, including the cidermakers working, and the
cider produced, in the State. ��

���� 2.��� The Governor is respectfully requested to
annually issue a proclamation calling upon the State�s cider industry, the
State�s apple producing industry, the Secretary of Agriculture, and the
Director of the Division of Travel and Tourism in the Department of State to
publicize and observe �Cider Month� with appropriate activities and programs.

���� 3.���
This joint resolution shall
take effect immediately.

STATEMENT

���� This joint resolution
designates October of each year as �Cider Month� in New Jersey to celebrate the
apple harvest season and promote the State�s cider industry, reflecting the
same goals as �National Cider Month.�� The Governor is respectfully urged to
issue a proclamation each year calling upon the State�s cider industry, apple
producing industry, Secretary of Agriculture, and Director of the Division of
Travel and Tourism in the Department of State to publicize �Cider Month� and celebrate
�Cider Month� with appropriate activities and programs.�

���� Cider production has a long history in New
Jersey.� Cider, which can be non-alcoholic or alcoholic, was a staple drink of
the colonists in the United States and was first produced in New Jersey in the
17th century after colonists planted the first apple orchards in the State.�
Northern New Jersey was particularly known for its apple and cider production,
and the cider produced in Newark was renowned by the end of the colonial period.�
However, by the middle of the 18th century, the production of cider in the
State was almost extinct as it was far cheaper to produce grain alcohol at that
time.

���� During the first quarter of the 21st century,
cideries again began to open across New Jersey.� As the cideries in the State
are smaller than others around the country, the cideries are able to experiment
with flavors and produce unique products.� Moreover, the cideries in New Jersey
offer a variety of benefits to the State and the State�s citizens by creating
jobs, supporting the agricultural industry, and boosting agrotourism in the
State.�

���� The cider industry already recognizes October as
�National Cider Month,� during which the industry celebrates cider,
cidermakers, and the harvest season.� Designating October as �Cider Month� in
New Jersey would promote the expanding cider industry, and the related apple
production and agrotourism industries, in the State.
�