Let's talk about healthy universal school meals
Photo: Antoni Shkraba / Pexels
Let's Talk New Mexico, 02/16 8a: About 71% of New Mexican students qualify for free or reduced-price meals yet some of our children are still going hungry. The Healthy Universal School Meals Act introduced by Democratic Senators Michael Padilla and Leo Jaramillo would give all public and charter school students free access to breakfast and lunch regardless of family income. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham is a supporter of this bill and made it one of her priorities in her State of the State address.
Senate Bill 4 would not only benefit our school children, but also our farmers who would provide healthy, locally grown and nutritional foods. However, some are skeptical about the price tag and whether we can afford to fund it in the years to come. SB4 calls for $30 million every year from the general fund beginning this July, plus more than $75 million over time to build a food system that grows, transports, and serves food to New Mexicans.
On this week’s Let’s Talk New Mexico, we’ll be taking a closer look at the Healthy Universal School Meals Act. If Senate Bill 4 passes, how will it impact our kids, farmers, and educators? Do you support the idea of making healthy meals free to all school kids regardless of income? Will this bill be economically profitable for our state? Email us at LetsTalk@kunm.org or call in live during the show.
GUESTS:
Kendal Chavez, Food and Hunger Coordinator, Office of the Governor
Jennifer Ramo, Founder and Executive Director, New Mexico Appleseed
Anita Lara-Beckler, Movement and PE Teacher at the Raices del Saber Xinachtli Community School. Founder of Tloke Naouke After School Program
Manny Encinias, 4th Generation Cattle Rancher in Morietry, NM and Co-Owner of Now We're Ranching Cattle Management Services.
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