An Act designating the Taylor Ham, egg, and cheese sandwichas the New Jersey State Sandwich and supplementing chapter 9A of Title 52 ofthe Revised Statutes.
Whereas,For over 150 years, Taylor Ham has been a staple in New Jersey, commonly servedas a breakfast sandwich with egg and cheese on a hard roll; and
Whereas,According to New Jersey folklore, Taylor Ham made its first appearance duringthe Revolutionary War where it was carried as field rations by soldiers of theContinental Army during the Battle of Trenton; and
Whereas,The first official Taylor Ham product became popular in the late 19th centurywhen Taylor Provisions, Inc., based in Trenton, began selling “Taylor’sPrepared Ham,” begetting the nickname, “Taylor Ham”; and
Whereas,In 1906, the federal Pure Food and Drug Act was enacted, forcing TaylorProvisions to rename the product “Taylor’s Pork Roll,” which initiated theongoing debate between residents of northern and southern New Jersey as towhether the beloved cured meat should be referred to as “pork roll” or “Taylor Ham”;and
Whereas,Though it may be difficult to find Taylor Ham outside of New Jersey, State residentsare able to walk into nearly any local diner to satisfy their Taylor Hamcravings; and
Whereas,Taylor Ham has become an important part of popular culture in New Jersey,inspiring several 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 culturalsignificance of Taylor Ham in the State, the Taylor Ham, egg, and cheesesandwich has become synonymous with New Jersey; now, therefore,
Be ItEnacted by the Senate and General Assembly ofthe State of New Jersey:
1. The Taylor Ham, egg, andcheese sandwich is designated as the New Jersey State Sandwich.
2. This act shall takeeffect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill designates theTaylor Ham, egg, and cheese sandwich as the official State Sandwich of NewJersey.
Taylor Ham has been a NewJersey staple for over 150 years. It was first produced in the late 19thcentury by Taylor Provisions, Inc., though according to State folklore, Taylor Hammade its first appearance in the Battle of Trenton during the RevolutionaryWar, when it was carried as field rations by soldiers of the Continental Army.Over time, Taylor Ham, especially the Taylor Ham, egg, and cheese sandwich, hasbecome synonymous with New Jersey, and an important part of the State’s historyand popular culture.
