HOUSE MEMORIAL 76

53rd legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2017

INTRODUCED BY

Angelica Rubio

A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE SECRETARY OF HUMAN SERVICES TO EXPLORE AND REPORT RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IMPLEMENTING A SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM PILOT PROGRAM FOR FRESH, HEALTHY AND AFFORDABLE FOOD ACCESS IN AN UNDERSERVED COMMUNITY OR IN UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES OF THE STATE.

     WHEREAS, good nutrition is the foundation for good health and contributes greatly to well-being; and

     WHEREAS, supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits, or "SNAP", formerly known as "food stamps", is a United States department of agriculture program that the New Mexico human services department administers to provide individuals with low incomes with access to food; and

     WHEREAS, SNAP has been a life-saver for many New Mexicans who have little or no income, providing them with basic sustenance that they could not otherwise afford; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexicans who rely on SNAP receive very modest food assistance; and

     WHEREAS, many New Mexicans have difficulty gaining access to healthy foods because they live in "food deserts" where there are no farmers' markets, where grocery stores are difficult to find and where fresh, healthy food is scarce or unavailable; and

     WHEREAS, where healthy food is scarce or unavailable, SNAP participants often have to rely on the inexpensive, processed foods that are high in fat, salt and additives and that are less nutritious than farm-fresh and foods with little or no processing, which are available at places such as convenience stores; and

     WHEREAS, in some communities where there are farmers' markets, SNAP participants can have their SNAP dollars stretch further and provide them access to fresh, healthy foods through the "double-up food bucks" program; and

     WHEREAS, though the double-up food bucks program is very successful in the communities where there are farmers' markets, there are many areas of the state where there are no nearby farmers' markets;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the secretary of human services be requested to explore the creation of a pilot program in which SNAP participants who live in "food deserts" and do not have access to farmers' markets are provided with access to and incentives to purchase and use healthy, fresh foods; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the secretary of human services be requested to consult with representatives of the United States department of agriculture's food and nutrition service, private organizations such as farm-to-table, private foundations and grant programs to learn what supports and services are available for expanding New Mexico's SNAP recipients' access to fresh, healthy and affordable foods; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the secretary of human services be requested to report the secretary's findings and recommendations for implementing a SNAP pilot program for fresh, healthy and affordable food access in an underserved community or in underserved communities of the state to the legislative health and human services committee and to the interim committee that reviews matters relating to rural and economic development by October 1, 2017; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the secretary of human services, the president pro tempore of the senate, the speaker of the house of representatives and the legislative health and human services committee.

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