FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MEDIA ADVISORY

Roadrunner Food Bank

CONTACT: Jasmin Holmstrup

505-247-2052, ext 129

505-306-5203 (cell)

NEW MEXICO DROPS TO #1 IN FOOD INSECURITY IN NATION

One in Six New Mexicans at Risk of being Hungry

Albuquerque, NM - November 15, 2006 – While hunger in the United States decreased in 2005, the number of New Mexicans at risk for hunger increased to 16.8 percent, or one in six, as reported by the recently released USDA Report on Household Food Security in the United States, 2005.  Of the estimated 324,000 New Mexicans at risk, 110,000 people, or 5.7 percent, went hungry for several days during an average 7 months of the year.

“This report confirms what we see on a daily basis.  Hunger is a significant issue in our state and it is growing.  There is an increased need statewide for emergency food assistance.  While Roadrunner Food Bank is on track to distribute 14 million pounds of food statewide, this report shows us that there is a gap of almost 6 million pounds of food annually.  To meet that need—we need the business community and the public to help,” said Melody Wattenbarger, Executive Director of Roadrunner Food Bank of New Mexico.  “Hunger knows no season. We need to be able purchase, collect and distribute over 20 millions pounds of food year round just to meet current needs.”

New Mexico consistently ranks among the top five of the states in the nation with the highest percentage of population not knowing where their next meal may come from.  In the USDA report released in October 2005, New Mexico was second in the nation with 15.8 percent of the population at risk for food insecurity or going hungry.  This past May, Roadrunner Food Bank of New Mexico released the results of the Faces of Hunger in New Mexico 2005 study which saw an increase of 38% of people seeking emergency food assistance.  One third of those needing help are children, 10 percent are seniors and almost one half of households have at least one adult working full time.

Food insecurity is defined as those who do not have enough food to feed all their family members and are unable to purchase food due to lack of money or resources.  According to the USDA report, among the households greatest at risk were families of four near or below poverty level, earning less than $25,000 annually; households with children and single mothers, as well as Black and Hispanic households.

Roadrunner Food Bank of New Mexico is conducting the annual holiday food drive through the end of the year.

• Cash donations may be made by calling 505-247-2052 ext 102 or through the website at www.rrfb.org.

• This Saturday, November 18^th, the Albuquerque area Letter Carriers will be collecting non-perishable foods left at mailboxes.

• Food donations are also being collected at all Smith’s Foods and Drug locations and at American Home, located at Carlisle and Menaul.  

• For more information, contact Roadrunner Food Bank of New Mexico at 505-247-2052 or online at www.rrfb.org.

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Roadrunner Food Bank of New Mexico is New Mexico’s largest non-profit organization dedicated to ending hunger in New Mexico.  Last year Roadrunner Food Bank distributed more than 14 million pounds of food through a statewide network of over 700 partner agencies and seven regional food banks. Roadrunner Food Bank converts every $1 donated into $13 of fresh produce, bread, meat and non-perishables for hungry New Mexicans.  Roadrunner Food Bank is the  only America’s Second Harvest—the Nation’s Food Bank Network member in New Mexico. Roadrunner Food Bank has distributed more than 135 million pounds of food since 1980.  For more information about Roadrunner Food Bank and its programs visit www.rrfb.org