NEW MEXICO FARMERS DONATED RECORD AMOUNT OF PRODUCE TO STATE’S LARGEST FOOD BANK IN 2015

NEW MEXICO FARMERS DONATED RECORD AMOUNT OF PRODUCE TO STATE’S LARGEST FOOD BANK IN 2015 Officials from Roadrunner Food Bank, New Mexico Secretary of Agriculture Jeff Witte, and several New Mexico farmers will announce that this was a record-setting year in the amount of local produce New Mexico farmers donated to the Food Bank. The Food Bank helps feed 70,000 New Mexicans every week. Media are invited to learn more about the unique partnership between the Food Bank and New Mexico farmers, as well as broader topics such as hunger in New Mexico and its connection to health. Thursday, December 10 at 11 a.m. Roadrunner Food Bank 5840 Office Blvd. NE Albuquerque, NM 87109 Why: Research shows a connection between health and hunger. According to the Hunger in America 2014 report, about 75 percent of hungry people in New Mexico report purchasing inexpensive and unhealthy food to feed their family. This strategy has known risks for contributing to obesity, heart disease, diabetes, poor nutrition, etc. Partnerships with local growers and the New Mexico Department of Agriculture (NMDA) are vital in securing nutritious food donations for our most hungry neighbors. ###