Coalition, Governor's Office Craft Hunger Initiative for 2022 Legislature

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