Great Write-up About Food, Hunger and Farm Act

An article published in the Santa Fe New Mexican and reprinted in the New Mexico Political Report presented a great overview about the Food, Hunger and Farm Act, which was introduced in the New Mexico House as HB 207.

Alas, the initiative has been tabled for this session because of technical/procedural issues. The bill was because the final version of the bill did not have an appropriation attached.

But the measure created a blueprint for anti-hunger advocates to move forward in future State Legislatures. There have been other efforts to address hunger in New Mexico, but this particular initiative creates the framework for all the entities that have some role in creating a solution to end hunger in New Mexico to work together.  The measure also identified a set of policy priorities to address hunger in New Mexico.

Quotes from Pam Roy, Rep. Stansbury

Here's a quote from our friend Pam Roy, who has participated in the discussions that led to the creation of HB207.“I believe we have one of the best chances of strengthening food security in New Mexico through a process like this bill suggests,” she told Nott. 

The article also quoted Rep. Melanie Stansbury, who coordinated our efforts to create the initiative. “We have to fix the entire system,” she said at a press conference before a hearing on HB207 before the House Agriculture and Water Resources Committe. “From the roots [of the problem] to our food distribution system to the way food is made available in our communities to actually accessing food for individuals and families.”

Photo: NM Political Report

A Farmer Speaks

Nott's article starts by putting a personal element to the issue with quotes from Donne Gonzales, a farmer in Chamisal.  Here's a quote

“One in four children in this state goes hungry,” said Gonzales, who also works with a program training new farmers.

“They are not getting the nutritional value, which leads to deficiencies and health issues and weight problems,” she added. “Then they are not healthy, not feeling good, and they cannot be paying attention in our educational system while their tummies are growling.”

 Read full article, entitled "House bill calls for a commission to reduce hunger in New Mexico"  

Moving Forward

While HB207 will  not receive a vote in the full House in the 2021 session, there are some advances that continue. "Lead sponsors, Representatives Stansbury and Joanne Ferrary have committed Junior Bill dollars to the planning efforts associated with the Food, Hunger, and Farm Bill. The two HB co-sponsors have reached out to state government leaders to advance efforts outlined in HB 207 and there is a commitment to work together to fight hunger and strengthen local food systems," said New Mexico First, which coordinated discussions among representatives of hundreds of non-profits, organizations, government agencies, faith groups and others who have worked on the bill since the summer of 2019. 

Also, some stand-alone bills that fell under the umbrella of HB207 might get funding, For example, SB185, which promotes the use of New Mexico grown fruits and vegetables for senior centers acquire New Mexico could get an appropriation of $97,600 (contained in the SB377 Budget).