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Have Faith. Seek Justice. End Hunger.
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The Food Depot’s Agenda for the
2023 Regular Legislative Session
Approved by The Food Depot Board of Directors on January 18, 2023
The Food Depot respectfully requests that you and your colleagues provide crucial help to
our efforts by taking the following seven actions:
ACTION ONE: SUPPORT INCREASED, RECURRING FUNDING FOR FOOD BANKS
Repeat the 2022 appropriation of $1,116,500 for food banks to purchase and distribute fresh
produce, and appropriate an additional $10 million per the Food Initiative for food banks to
acquire more of the self-stable food hungry New Mexicans need. Because there is no end in
sight to the need for this funding, it should be made recurring.
ACTION TWO: SUPPORT UNIVERSAL FREE SCHOOL MEALS
Approximately 20 percent of our state’s children are food insecure. An important way to
reduce their hunger will be to enact legislation to provide universal free school meals. This
will ensure that, when schools are open, every child can receive a nutritious breakfast and
lunch and, in some cases, an afternoon snack or meal before going home. A child should only
have to worry about school rather than worry about going hungry and feeling ‘less than’ their
peers. Making these meals free to all children will end the costly and frustrating
administration of means tests for children’s families. It will reduce ostracism of children
whose family incomes permit them to eat free while children from families with higher
incomes must pay something to eat. And it will reduce non-participation by children whose
families lack the money to pay even the low co-payments required and by those who don’t
want to be seen as participants in a “welfare” or “handout” program.
ACTION THREE: LEAVE FOOD EXEMPT FROM TAX
Leave food exempt from the gross receipts tax. Taxing food will directly reduce the food that
can be purchased by poor New Mexicans who already are experiencing hunger, and already-
strained food banks will not be able to make up difference. Make no mistake: taxing food will
increase hunger in our state.
ACTION FOUR: INCREASE SNAP BENEFITS FOR SENIORS
Approve a $225 per month allocation to up to 42,287 seniors in the state’s augmentation of
the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, or “food stamps”) benefit received
by New Mexico’s poor senior citizens. Seniors are increasingly hard-pressed to meet their
essential living expenses in the face of inflation, and this will reduce the number of them who
face food insecurity.
ACTION FIVE: ELIMINATE THE ANTI-DONATION CLAUSE FOR FOOD BANKS
When the Legislature provides funding intended to help food banks meet the increasing
costs of feeding hungry New Mexicans and, in order to comply with the restrictions of the
Anti-Donation Clause, the recipient food banks must obtain those funds from various local
governments, the funds are delayed in reaching the food banks by a host of administrative
requirements and sometimes never realize their intended purpose of preventing hunger.
Some 2022 funding has not yet reached the food banks for which it was appropriated.
Application of the Anti-Donation Clause to established nonprofit organizations involved in
feeding hungry New Mexicans should be eliminated. Until that is accomplished, State
funding for food banks should be channeled to them by means of contracts from state
agencies rather than grants they must obtain from local governments.
ACTION SIX: ELIMINATE GROSS RECEIPTS TAX ON SERVICES FOR FOOD BANKS
Currently, 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations like food banks do not pay gross receipts tax
on tangibles they purchase and yet do have to pay gross receipts tax on services, making New
Mexico gross receipts tax law different from most other states. Please support the end of GRT
on services.
ACTION SEVEN: SUPPORT FOR A MEMORIAL FOR HUNTERS HELPING THE HUNGRY
We urge your support for a Memorial calling on the appropriate state agencies to simplify
and clarify their requirements and procedures to facilitate donations by hunters of game
animals they have killed, and safe processing of the meat obtained from those game animals
so it can be used by food banks to feed hungry New Mexicans across the state.
Great article from Isabel Ruehl in New Mexico In-Depth
Below are a couple of excerpts, followed by a link to the full piece
"When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, it created a food emergency of epic proportions.
This year, building on the gains made during the pandemic, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham launched the Food, Farm, and Hunger Initiative — recently renamed the Food Initiative —and secured $24.7 million from the Legislature to create and fund policy that tackles hunger across the state.
Food & Farms Day Awards, August 24, 2022
Compilation ALL Food and Farm videos_1.mp4 from Helen Henry on Vimeo.
What were the legislative outcomes for food, hunger, agriculture and
human needs initiatives in the 2022 New Mexico State Legislature? The
most significant and far-reaching measure approved in the past
legislative session was the Food, Farms and Hunger initiative promoted
by a broad anti-hunger coalition in collaboration with the governor's
office and legislators. The effort resulted in approval of a $24 million
package in anti-hunger and related measures ia the state budget.
Listen to Pam Roy of the New Mexico Food and Agriculture Policy Council,
Kurt Rager of the Lutheran Advocacy Ministry-New Mexico, and State Rep.
Joanne Ferrary talk about these initiatives. Rep. Ferrary also gave us
an update on the Legislative Hunger Caucus.
The legislators added their names to the Hunger Caucus document at a gathering in the Roundhouse a few weeks before the start of the 2022 session of the New Mexico State Legislature.
Here is the statement at the top of the document that legislators signed.
Below is the list of legislators (in alphabetical order) who added their names to the Hunger Caucus list this year. The legislators represent all corners of our state. Each legislator has a hyperlink leading to their page on the NM State Legislature, including an e-mail address (in case you want to send them a thank you note). One legislator--former Rep. Brittany Barreras--left the Legislature this year and is no longer listed on the Legislature's page.
House
Eliseo Alcon Anthony Allison Phelps Anderson Karen Bash
Kay Bounkeua Micaela Lara Cadena Gail Chasey Meredith Dixon
Daymon Ely Joanne Ferrary Natalie Figueroa Doreen Gallegos
Harry Garcia Miguel Garcia Joy Garratt Susan Herrera
Pamelya Herndon Day Hochman Vigil D. Wanda Johnson Raymundo Lara
Derick Lente Tara Lujan Willy Madrid Antonio Maestas
Javier Martinez Marian Matthews Roger Montoya Kristina Ortez
Andrea Romero Patricia Roybal Caballero Angelica Rubio Debbie Sariñana
Linda Serrato Nathan Small Candie Sweetser Christine Trujillo
Former Rep. Brittany Barreras
Gerald Ortiz y Pino Harold Pope Shannon Pinto
Antoinette Sedillo Lopez Liz Stefanics Bill Tallman
Other Senators who signed an earlier more informal document
Bill Burt Jacob Candelaria Carrie Hamblen
Stuart Ingle' Daniel Ivey-Soto Gay Kernan
George Muñoz Bill Soule Jeff Steinborn
Mimi Stewart Peter Wirth Pat Woods
The list includes former Sens. Carlos Cisneros, Jim White and Gabriel Ramos
2019 State Legislature |
The concept of the Hunger Caucus has been around a few years. The House approved memorials in 2019 and 2020 supporting the creation of this special body within the State Legislature. "I think New Mexico for far too long has had hunger as part of our our social economic cultural fabric," said Rep. Phelps Anderson, speaking in favor of House Memorial 65 in the 2019 State Legislature. "I salute you for bringing this memorial to the front because we're all here to do good work. The work we do could not be better in this area, or more important.
An earlier effort in 2018, led by former Rep. Sarah Maestas-Barnes, created a hunger council--a partnership between non-governmental organizations and state legislators.
The current Hunger Caucus is the result of several informal meetings in recent years between legislators and representatives of the Interfaith Hunger Coalition, Roadrunner Food Bank, AARP New Mexico and other organizations and Rep. Ferrary. Among the legislators who contributed to the discussion over the years are Rep. Ferrary, Rep. Anderson, Rep. Anthony Allison, Rep. Natalie Figueroa, Rep. Karen Bash, Rep. Kristina Ortez, Rep. Rebecca Dow, Sen. Bill Tallman, Sen. Harold Pope, Sen. Carrie Hamblen, Sen. Liz Stefanics, among others.Because of their commitment to the Hunger Caucus, many legislators were aware of this year's broad Food, Farms and Hunger initiative, which promoted a long-term and wide approach to addressing hunger in New Mexico. Because of an effort by a broad coalition of non-profits, anti-hunger advocates, feeding agriculture organizations, and the governor's office, about $24 million was allocated in the FY23 budget for programs to address hunger in New Mexico this year.
The same advocates promoted a similar measure in the 2021 legislature via an omnibus bill. That measure did not contain funding allocations and did not reach the House floor. This year, the strategy was to include funding in the Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham's budget proposal for HB2, the general budget.
Dear Representatives and Senators,
These are unprecedented times. Even as the pandemic has made the weaknesses and inequities in our food system more evident, it highlighted the strength of New Mexico’s food system. The pandemic also revealed the potential to expand food and farming businesses and the agricultural economy while creating greater access to food for those who are vulnerable.
Our local food system is supported by a long tradition of small and mid-sized farms and ranches that are part of the state’s agricultural industry that generates billions of dollars in revenue every year, yet 95% of products leave the state. At the same time, hunger and food insecurity have remained persistent challenges in New Mexico for generations.
To address this potential, over 250 New Mexicans came together to work on a large, comprehensive plan to strengthen the connections between food, hunger, and farming in New Mexico. The Food, Farm, and Hunger Initiative supports our commitment to fostering a food system that addresses hunger while improving economic resiliency in New Mexico’s communities.
The FY23 Executive Budget recommendation includes more than $24 million – the largest investment increase in food and agriculture in the state’s history. It’s more urgent than ever for the legislature to fund these essential programs.
We ask that you prioritize the complete Executive Budget recommendation in House Bill 2 as requested for the Food, Farm, and Hunger Initiative. $14.2 million is included in the Department of Finance and Administration’s budget, with another $200,000 recommended for essential staff positions for the Aging and Long-Term Services Department and Human Services Department. $10 million is recommended in capital outlay for hunger relief infrastructure improvements.
This effort will benefit hundreds of thousands of New Mexicans through an intergenerational approach that will yield significant economic, health, and environmental benefits. This targeted investment will help expand federal nutrition programs and homegrown programs that work.
The many organizations, individuals, and partner agencies that worked together to create this comprehensive budget package multi-year set of initiatives ask for your full support in making sure this funding request is reflected in the legislative budget.
Please feel free to contact any of us. Several organization’s contacts are provided below.
Yours truly, signed:
New Mexico Food & Agriculture Policy Council, Pam Roy, Coordinator, 505-660-8403
NM Farmers’ Marketing Association, Denise Miller, Executive Director, 505-699-2064
NM School Nutrition Association, Marie Johnson, President, 505-599-8778
New Mexico Association of Food Banks, Sherry Hooper, President, 505-577-0444
ECHO Food Bank
Food Bank of Eastern New Mexico
Roadrunner Food Bank – Albuquerque
Roadrunner Food Bank – Las Cruces
The Food Depot
Agri-Cultura Network
Agri-Nature Center
Alliance for Local Economic Prosperity
Black Farmers and Ranchers New Mexico
CPLC New Mexico, Inc. & HELP New Mexico, Inc.
Farm to Table
Interfaith Hunger Coalition
La Semilla Food Center
Lutheran Advocacy Ministry - NM
National Latino Farmers and Ranchers Trade Association
National Young Farmers Coalition
New Mexico Appleseed
New Mexico Conference of Churches
New Mexico First
NM Healthy Soil Working Group
Rural Coalition
The Community Pantry and Hope Garden
Wagner Farms
Western Landowners Alliance
BACKGROUND
New Mexico has a vibrant local food movement supported by a long tradition of small- and mid-sized agriculture. Our thriving agricultural industry generates billions of dollars in revenue every year, but 95% of products leave the state. At the same time, hunger and food insecurity have remained persistent challenges in New Mexico for generations. It’s time to change the system – and we’ve got a plan.
The FY23 Executive Budget recommendation includes more than $24 million – the largest investment increase in food and agriculture in the state’s history – to revolutionize New Mexico’s food system. This targeted investment will help expand federal nutrition programs and homegrown programs that work. This effort will benefit hundreds of thousands of New Mexicans through an intergenerational approach that will yield significant economic, health, and environmental benefits.
The Food, Farm, and Hunger Initiative supports our commitment to fostering a food system that addresses hunger while improving economic resiliency in New Mexico communities. The future of New Mexico’s food system will be improved by these comprehensive investments outlined in the FY23 Executive Budget recommendation.
EXCUTIVE BUDGET PRIORITIES
Increase immediate hunger relief efforts for food insecure
Invest in local producers’ ability to support New Mexico’s food system
Build the capacity of New Mexico’s supply chain
Rep. Stansbury is a natural for the House Hunger Caucus. Before her election to the US House, she worked tirelessly as a state representative to coordinate a new approach in New Mexico to address hunger in our state. She promoted an omnibus bill that would bring together all the elements needed to address hunger in New Mexico. This created the blueprint for anti-hunger efforts going forward.
And one of her first actions after her swearing-in ceremony to the US House was to speak out in favor of making the Child Tax Credit permanent.
What is the Hunger Caucus?
A caucus by definition is comprised of a group of members of Congress that meets to pursue common legislative objectives. According to the Congressional Research Service, caucuses are formed as congressional member organizations (CMOs) both in the House and the Senate. The legislative bodies are governed under the rules of the two chambers.
Unlike formal committees, caucuses do not have authority to craft legislation. They primarily intend to provide a forum for members to demonstrate their willingness to work together on a particular issue such as addressing hunger in the United States. While highly symbolic, they also contribute to the national conversation. For example, in December of 2020, House Hunger Caucus co-chair Rep. Jim McGovern, a Democrat from Massachusetts, urged then President-elect Joe Biden to to appoint a “hunger czar” to develop, coordinate, and implement a national strategy to reduce food insecurity in America.
"I have long maintained that hunger is a political condition, and the choices our leaders make have a profound and direct impact on whether or not Americans families will live in fear of not knowing where their next meal will come from. Ending hunger is not only a moral obligation; there is also a tremendous cost to our country for our indifference," McGovern said in a letter to Biden.
Caucus Co-Chair Jackie Walorski, R-Ind., has also spoken in favor of policies to address hunger in our country. “Access to plentiful, nutritious food plays a key role in health and wellness and can help families and communities build stronger futures," Walorski said during a commemoration of World Food Day in 2020. “I’m honored to support the designation of a World Food Day and renew my commitment to addressing hunger, food insecurity, and malnutrition in the U.S. and across the globe. As co-chair of the bipartisan House Hunger Caucus, I’ll continue working to make nutrition a priority in Congress.”
Here are other quotes from legislators, including some members of the Hunger Caucus, on World Food Day 2020
To be sure, the House Hunger Caucus aims to be a bipartisan body. Here is the current listing, courtesy of Rep. McGovern's office. The listing does not include party affiliation, but a few of these legislators are members of the Republican Party.
Kind, Ron |
WI-03 |
Lawrence, Brenda L. |
MI-14 |
Courtney, Joe |
CT-02 |
Pallone, Frank |
NJ-06 |
Matsui, Doris |
CA-06 |
Lofgren, Zoe |
CA-19 |
Costa, Jim |
CA-16 |
Norton, Eleanor Holmes |
DC |
Carson, Andre |
IN-07 |
DeLauro, Rosa |
CT-03 |
Doyle, Mike |
PA-14 |
Lee, Barbara |
CA-13 |
Aguilar, Pete |
CA-31 |
Smith, Adam |
WA-09 |
Cleaver II, Emanuel |
MO-05 |
Carbajal, Salud |
CA-24 |
Deutch, Ted |
FL-22 |
Kildee, Dan |
MI-05 |
Huffman, Jared |
CA-02 |
Adams, Alma |
NC-12 |
Larsen, Rick |
WA-02 |
Pingree, Chellie |
ME-01 |
Maloney, Carolyn |
NY-12 |
Lujan, Ben Ray |
NM - SENATE |
Connolly, Gerald |
VA-11 |
Raskin, Jamie |
MD-08 |
Ryan, Tim |
OH-13 |
Jackson-Lee, Sheila |
TX-18 |
Welch, Peter |
VT At-Large |
Green, AL |
TX-09 |
Speier, Jackie |
CA-14 |
Maloney, Patrick |
NY-18 |
Larson, John |
CT-01 |
Lynch, Stephen |
MA-08 |
Bishop, Sanford |
GA-02 |
Lowenthal, Alan |
CA-47 |
Scott, Robert "Bobby" |
VA-03 |
McCollum, Betty |
MN-04 |
Neal, Richard |
MA-01 |
Bonamici, Suzanne |
OR-01 |
DeFazio, Peter |
OR-04 |
Doggett, Lloyd |
TX-35 |
McGovern, James P. |
MA-02 |
Sablan, Gregorio Kilili Camacho |
MP |
Delbene, Suzanne |
WA-01 |
Clark, Katherine |
MA-05 |
Johnson, Eddie Bernice |
TX-30 |
Kuster, Ann McLane |
NH-02 |
Takano, Mark |
CA-41 |
Frankel, Lois |
FL-21 |
Schiff, Adam |
CA-28 |
Kaptur, Marcy |
OH-09 |
Price, David |
NC-04 |
Schakowsky, Jan |
IL-09 |
Spanberger, Abigail |
VA-07 |
NODO |
|
Panetta, Jimmy |
CA-20 |
Lawson, Al |
FL-05 |
Dingell, Debbie |
MI-12 |
Kelly, Mike |
PA-16 |
Moolenaar, John |
MI-04 |
Walberg, Tim |
MI-07 |
Griffith, Morgan |
VA-09 |
Upton, Fred |
MI-06 |
Thompson, Glenn "GT" |
PA-15 |
Granger, Kay |
TX-12 |
Walorski, Jackie |
IN-02 |
Omar, Ilhan |
MN-05 |
Mann, Tracey |
KS-01 |
Stansbury, Melanie |
NM-01 |
What About the Senate Hunger Caucus?
Unlike the House, Senate groups receive neither official recognition nor funding from the chamber. But a Senate Hunger Caucus does exist, and co-chairs include high-profile senators: John Boozman (R-AR), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Bob Casey (D-PA), Dick Durbin (D-IL), and Roger Marshall (R-KS). "Living in the breadbasket of our nation, it can be difficult to comprehend the prevalence of hunger around the world. Yet hunger is real, and it threatens the future of millions of people every day," Sen. Jerry Moran (previously a co-chair of the caucus) said in his website.
In addition to the co-chairs, the Senate Hunger Caucus is comprised of nine other senators. See listing.
Among recent actions, the caucus led a food drive in Congress in 2019. In November 2020, Sen. Moran and a handful of his colleagues introduced a resolution to honor the World Food Program for receiving a 2020 Nobel Peace Prize.
Sen. Ben Ray Lujan does not participate in the Senate Hunger Caucus (at least not yet), but he remains as an honorary member of the House Hunger Caucus. We'll contact the staffs of Sen. Lujan and Heinrich to get in their insights on the Senate Hunger Caucus.