44TH LEGISLATURE - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - FIRST SESSION, 1999

EXPRESSING CONCERN THAT WELFARE-TO-WORK PROGRAM CLIENTS, TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE FOR NEEDY FAMILIES CLIENTS AND OTHER LOW- AND MODERATE-INCOME PEOPLE ARE UNABLE TO PURCHASE BREAKFAST CEREAL DUE TO THE EXCESSIVE COSTS OF THOSE CEREALS; REQUESTING THE INDUSTRY TO REVIEW PRICING OF THEIR PRODUCTS TO ENSURE THAT WHOLESOME BREAKFAST CEREALS ARE AVAILABLE AT REASONABLE COST SO THAT PEOPLE ON PUBLIC ASSISTANCE AND THOSE OF LOW AND MODERATE INCOME CAN AFFORD TO PURCHASE NUTRITIOUS BREAKFAST CEREALS.

WHEREAS, congress has required states to adopt programs that will encourage and help people in need of public assistance to acquire work skills and seek employment; and

WHEREAS, New Mexico is implementing the New Mexico Works Act, welfare-to-work programs and programs for temporary assistance for needy families; and

WHEREAS, these programs have been created to aid low- income people to meet the basic needs of their families; and

WHEREAS, one of the basic needs of every person is to begin the day with a nutritious breakfast; and

WHEREAS, the cost of breakfast cereals has become so high that it has surpassed an affordable level for low- and moderate-income families in New Mexico; and

WHEREAS, breakfast cereal is becoming an item of necessity for many working families, where both parents are members of the work force, whether through public assistance programs or otherwise; and

WHEREAS, the cost of breakfast cereal has shown a sharp increase in cost in the past five years;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the cereal industry, as well as those wholesalers and retailers involved in the sale of breakfast cereals to New Mexico families, make conscientious efforts to reduce the price of breakfast cereals so that they become affordable to all families, including those families in which the parents are receiving temporary assistance for needy families and those families of low or moderate income located in New Mexico; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the home offices of Albertson's, Furr's, Safeway, Lucky Savon, Smith's and Wild Oats and Alfalfa's and to the producers of Kelloggs, Nabisco, Post and other breakfast cereals.