HOUSE MEMORIAL 55

53rd legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2018

INTRODUCED BY

Deborah A. Armstrong

A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE LEGISLATIVE EDUCATION STUDY COMMITTEE AND THE LEGISLATIVE HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE TO REVIEW EXISTING PROGRAMS TO REDUCE FOOD WASTE IN SCHOOL FOOD PROGRAMS AND TO STUDY WAYS TO CREATE AND EXPAND POLICIES THAT ALLOW UNUSED OR UNEATEN FOOD TO GO TO THE BENEFIT OF HUNGRY CHILDREN.

     WHEREAS, New Mexico consistently ranks in the top five states nationally for the number of children living in poverty and experiencing hunger; and

     WHEREAS, school food programs are an important tool in the fight against childhood hunger; and

     WHEREAS, some existing food policy regulations result in food going to waste rather than going to feed hungry children; and

     WHEREAS, United States department of agriculture regulations allow for the donation of unused food to specific food programs but limit distribution outlets for smaller, rural communities; and

     WHEREAS, school food program personnel have indicated a desire to be able to provide more unused food to hungry children;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the importance of maximizing all available resources to reduce school food waste and to provide more food directly to hungry children be affirmed; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the legislative education study committee and the legislative health and human services committee be requested to review existing programs to reduce food waste in school food programs and to study ways to create and expand policies that allow unused or uneaten food to go to the benefit of hungry children; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the chairs of the legislative education study committee and the legislative health and human services committee.

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