Gov. Susana MartinezSTATE News:
ALBUQUERQUE ― Gov. Susana Martinez has announced summer food programs offered across New Mexico and urged all New Mexico youth to take advantage of the nutritious meals being provided this summer through CYFD and PED’s summer food programs.
This summer, over 2.8 million meals will be served to low-income children. Since 2011, over 18 million meals have been served to New Mexico youth throughout the state.
“Having access to nutritious meals during the summer months gives our children an excellent opportunity to continue getting the essential fuel their bodies and minds need while they are not in school,” Martinez said. “I encourage all parents to pull together for our children this summer and get them out to one of our summer food sites for a free nutritious meal.”
New Mexico continues to be a national leader in providing meals to low-income children. Last year, the Food Research and Action Center once again ranked New Mexico as the No. 1 state in the country for serving meals to low-income children over the summer months.
Since taking office, Governor Martinez has significantly expanded summer food throughout New Mexico. Since 2011, over 18 million meals have been served to New Mexico children through CYFD’s Summer Food Service Program and PED’s Seamless Summer Food Program.
Last year alone, over 2.7 million meals were served to New Mexico children at over 800 meal sites throughout the state. This year, it is expected that over 2.8 million meals will be served with an estimated 700,000 of those meals being served in the Albuquerque area.
“Ensuring that our children have access to high quality meals during the summer months goes a long way towards improving their quality of life,” CYFD Cabinet Secretary Monique Jacobson said. “I want to encourage all parents and children to take advantage of this wonderful program and I want to thank all providers who help us to serve millions of nutritious meals to thousands of children throughout our state.”
The summer food programs serve FREE meals to all children aged 18yrs old and younger, and is funded nationally by the USDA. This year, new summer food venues will be located at senior centers, hospitals, community based health clinics, WIC service offices and at rural development housing projects.
To locate a participating meal site, or for more information on the Summer Food Program and starting dates in your area, parents can call 1-800-EAT-COOL (1.800.328.2665) or visit pulltogether.org.
