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Roadrunner Food Bank

CONTACT: Jasmin Holmstrup

505-349-8682

505-306-5203 (cell)

THIS HOLIDAY SEASON, NEW MEXICO REMAINS

ONE OF THE NATION'S HUNGRIEST STATES

USDA Releases Annual Report On Food Insecurity

Albuquerque, NM - November 16, 2007 – The USDA’s annual report on food insecurity confirms what one out of every six New Mexicans knows – that we are one of the hungriest states in the nation.  Released today, the report indicates that 124,000, or 16.1 percent, of New Mexican households are food insecure, or at risk of hunger.  The report also indicates that  an estimated 45,000 New Mexican households, or 5.8 percent, experience hunger for several days during a seven month period.

“We have a serious disease here in New Mexico – Hunger.  Hundreds of thousands of children, seniors and working families in our state are affected each year.  Hungry children cannot learn, hungry seniors put their health at risk by having to choose between medicine and food, and working families simply cannot make ends meet.” said Melody Wattenbarger, Executive Director of Roadrunner Food Bank of New Mexico.  “Hunger is curable; there are enough resources to feed everyone who needs it.  We are asking everyone in the community to help Roadrunner Food Bank and our statewide network reach the more than 370,000 New Mexicans in need of food each year.”

This year, community support is even more crucial.  Although Roadrunner Food Bank will distribute over 15 million pounds of fresh perishable and non-perishable foods in 2007, increases in food and gas costs are affecting our ability to meet the increasing emergency food needs statewide.  These cost increases mean Roadrunner purchases and distributes less fresh produce, meats and dairy products, most of which have to be shipped into New Mexico.  These foods are essential to thousands who have no resources or access to these foods.

Roadrunner Food Bank and the six regional food banks statewide also distribute surplus foods from the USDA Commodities program.  These free surplus foods have dropped-off dramatically in the last few years, affecting our partner agencies ability to feed hungry New Mexicans.  This program is one of the programs in the first line of defense for low and fixed income New Mexicans.

“Roadrunner Food Bank is committed to ending hunger in New Mexico but we cannot do it alone.  As New Mexicans sit down to dinner this Thanksgiving, we ask our community to give generously,” added Wattenbarger.

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Roadrunner Food Bank of New Mexico is New Mexico’s largest non-profit organization dedicated to ending hunger.  Through its statewide network of 600 partner agencies and 6 regional food banks, Roadrunner Food Bank distributes more than 15 million pounds of food to approximately 240,000 New Mexicans in need.  Every dollar donated yields $11 worth of food.  Roadrunner Food Bank is the  only New Mexico member of America’s Second Harvest—the Nation’s Food Bank Network.  In the 27 years since it was founded, Roadrunner Food Bank has distributed more than 150 million of food statewide.  For more information about Roadrunner Food Bank and its programs visit www.rrfb.org