Lujan Highlights $200,000 in USDA Grants for Santa Fe Organizations Addressing Hunger

Press Release

Congressman Ben Ray Luján of New Mexico's Third District highlighted nearly $200,000 in USDA grants for two Santa Fe organizations to address hunger and support the purchase of fruits and vegetables for participants in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The Santa Fe Community Foundation is receiving $100,000 and the New Mexico Farmers Marketing Association is receiving $99,999 through the Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive program for pilot projects.

"With New Mexico near the top in child hunger and with too many families struggling to put food on the table, SNAP is a critical tool to help during tough times," Congressman Luján said. "These federal grants will support the important efforts of these Santa Fe organizations to help SNAP recipients not only feed their families, but have access to healthy, nutritious food."

The grant awarded to the Santa Fe Community Foundation will help launch MoGro's Healthy SNAP Program, which will provide SNAP families with a 50% discount on fresh and organic produce and provide opportunities for monthly cooking and nutritional workshops. In partnership with La Familia Medical Center, community health workers will also be able to track dietary changes and health improvements.

The New Mexico Farmers Marketing Association will use its grant to help launch "Snap to Health: Double Up Food Bucks New Mexico," which will provide SNAP incentives at farmers' markets in order to increase consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables by low-income customers. The program will also include direct-to-consumer marketing in order to share the benefits of consuming locally grown produce.

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