According to the just-released Map the Meal Gap 2019 report from Feeding America (which analyzed data from 2017), the overall food insecurity rate for New Mexico is 15.5%, but for New Mexico children it is 24.1%. This means that New Mexico ranks last in the nation for childhood hunger, with one out of every four New Mexican youth being at risk of hunger. While the rates are a little better in Santa Fe County, they are still worse than the national average. The overall food insecurity rate for Santa Fe County is 12.4%, but our children have a food insecurity rate of 20.9%.
Poverty is a potent and well-documented predictor of health outcomes, with a direct link between inequitable access to healthy, affordable food and chronic diseases, particularly in communities of people of color and low-income communities. People living in food insecure homes experience challenges in accessing nutritious foods and face barriers to consistently adopting healthy eating patterns. A poor quality diet that lacks nutritious food has detrimental effects on a person’s physical and mental health. Food insecurity also exacerbates the complex challenges of managing a chronic disease. The biggest factor in the rates of child hunger and food insecurity is the number of children who live in poverty. Using data from the U.S. Census Bureau and compiled by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, New Mexico Voices for Children reports that 27% of New Mexico children live in poverty, ranking us 49th in the country (tied with Mississippi).
In order to increase access to healthy, local food and improve the nutrition and health of low-income families in our community, the Santa Fe Farmers’ Market Institute offers the Double Up Food Bucks program. Thanks to the New Mexico Farmers Marketing Association, customers across the state who receive food support from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) can scan their EBT cards for any amount and the amount will be doubled for them to spend on fresh, healthy local food at most New Mexico farmers markets, including the Santa Fe Farmers’ Market. Click here to find the farmers market near you that accepts SNAP.
In 2018, there were over 2,800 Double Up Food Bucks transactions processed at the Santa Fe Farmers’ Market Info Booth, which generated $161,551 in sales (from both SNAP and the match amount.) Since 2010, Double Up Food Bucks has provided over 2,670,000 servings of fruits and vegetables.
Click here if you would like to invest in the Double Up Food Bucks program.
