A Gubernatorial Forum and a James Beard Award

 

What Do the Gubernatorial Candidates Say About Hunger? The Roadrunner Coalition to End Hunger and other organizations, including the Interfaith Hunger Coalition, are asking gubernatorial candidates to discuss their positions on hunger and food insecurity in New Mexico. We will record a series of video interviews with candidates before the June 2 primary, and hold an in-person forum sometime in July after the primary elections are concluded. The forum will be held at Roadrunner Food Bank, 5840 Office Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87109 (exact date and time TBD) In the videos, which will be posted on YouTube in May, we will ask each candidate to answer the same pre-chosen questions within the same time limits. The six candidates seeking to succeed Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham are Democrats Sam Bregman and Deb Haaland; Republicans Gregg Hull, Duke Rodriguez and Doug Turner, and Independent Ken Miyagishima. According to the New Mexico Secretary of State, the two Democrats and three Republicans have qualified for the June 2 primary. Miyagishima, who switched from Democrat to independent, would qualify for the November 3 general election, provided he meets the state’s signature requirements for non-partisan candidates by June 25. More details to come soon. A James Beard Award  New Mexicans & Puerto Ricans met wtih Katie Mertens of Sen. Luján's staff in Washington in 2025 When the James Beard Foundation released its award recipients for 2026, a surprising name was included in the list: Sen. Ben Ray Luján, who was recognized on the Impact Awards category. See the 2026 list of nominees in all categories. This is only the second year for the foundation's Impact Award. Four other individuals/institutions received the award in this category in 2026, including Bon Jovi (JBJ Soul Foundation), ReFED, the Southern Smoke Foundation; and the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights. The James Beard Foundation offered details for each honoree in the full list of nominees (scroll down) Sen. Luján, a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, has been at the forefront of our efforts to protect the integrity of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for New Mexicans and everyone else in the country (including Puerto Rico).   James Beard Foundation Values Food Security, SNAP Our New Mexico senator is the second federal legislator to receive the Impact Award. In 2025, this award was presented to US Rep. Angie Craig from Minnesota (ranking member of the House Agriculture Committee), who also was recognized for her efforts to protect and expand SNAP.  As part of its policy priorities. the foundation advocates for nutrition security and the expansion of SNAP to allow for the participation of restaurants as meal providers for SNAP recipients. See article in Forbes magazine for information on the 2025 recipients, the inaugural year of the Impact Award. "In announcing the nomination, the foundation says (Luján) 'has fought to protect and strengthen SNAP—the most effective anti-hunger program in the nation'," said the online news site The Paper. "He has also fought to ensure that the farmers, ranchers, and producers who make up our agricultural sector and the farmworkers, grocery store workers, packers, shippers, and processors who ensure our food system operates have the resources and support they need to thrive.” “I am deeply honored to receive this award from the James Beard Foundation," Sen. Luján said in a press statement  "My work to protect and improve federal nutrition programs is driven by the folks back home in New Mexico working tirelessly to fight hunger in our communities every day. To these advocates in New Mexico and across the country—thank you for informing the work I do.” Other New Mexicans who have received recognition over the years as semifinalists, nominees or winners from the James Beard Foundation include Campo Los Poblanos, Bow & Arrow Brewing Co., Roberto Salazar of La Guelaguetza, Rancho de Chimayo Restaurante, Justin Pioche of Pioche Food Group (Fruitland), La Choza restaurant (Santa Fe), and many, many other chefs, restaurants and bars. (To see list of honorees since 1991, Click on Search, then type in New Mexico)   Farm Bill and Federal Program Updates Farm Bill: House Agriculture Committee Chair G.T. Thompson of Pennsylvania is expected to push for a House floor vote on the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 this spring. Anti-hunger advocacy organizations continue to work with House Agriculture Committee members to oppose the measure. US Sen. Ben Ray Lujan and US Rep. Gabe Vasquez of New Mexico are members of their respective Agriculture committees, which have jurisdiction over the Farm Bill. " This proposal fails to reverse the unprecedented $187 billion in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) cuts within the budget reconciliation law, HR 1, that will lead millions of people to lose all or some of their SNAP benefits and increase state costs, said a statement from the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC). Other organizations and faith-based coalitions have weighed in on the Farm Bill proposal. "The Farm Bill presents a critical opportunity for Congress to reduce food insecurity by restoring and strengthening SNAP, and the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 misses that opportunity as written." said an interfaith letter from a group of 31 Christian, Jewish and Muslim organizations (including MAZON, ICNA Relief USA, Bread for the World, Church World Service and others). "Policies that weaken (SNAP's) reach or add unnecessary barriers ultimately harm low-income families, seniors, people with disabilities, and children who rely on these programs to meet their basic nutritional needs," said a statement from a group of Catholic organizations  (led by the US Conference of Catholic Bishops). "A bipartisan Farm Bill is our best chance to stand with both our neighbors facing hunger and the farmers who sustain America. National food programs like The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) must be a central part of the farm bill to ensure everyone has access to the food they deserve and to support our nation’s farmers," said Feeding America. President's FY2027 Budget Proposal: President Trump has proposed a budget that increases spending for defense and the military at the expense of programs that benefit people. Here is an analysis from a couple of  organizations that address hunger and poverty.  FRAC  Center on Budget and Policy Priorities   Lawsuit Against Punitive USDA Guidelines New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez joined a coalition of 21 attorneys general who filed a major lawsuit to stop the administration from requiring states to agree to new terms and conditions for their financial agreements with the federal government. These agreements include billions of dollars in critical food, agriculture, and rural development assistance. Read more  The report is contained in the latest issue of Field Notes, published by Farm to Table New Mexico   World Food Day: International Year of the Woman Farmer The Food and Agriculture Organization has launched a special campaign in 2026, entitled the International Year of the Woman Farmer. Our World Food Day commemoration in Albuquerque in October will center on this theme while also incorporating the likely theme for WFD 2026, which is "Right to foods for a better life and a better future."  Thie Interfaith Hunger Coalition is working with Raindrop Foundation, Keri Sutter from Surgite: a sacred dance company, and other faith communities and organizations to plan this event. We hope to hold our World Food Day celebration sometime around October 16, which is the date when World Food Day is commemorated globally. Stay tuned for more details. Turkish Festival: The Raindrop Foundation invites the public to attend the Albuquerque Turkish Festival on Saturday, May 2, 11:00 AM-7:00 PM at Raindrop Foundation Turkish Cultural Center (7901 Mountain Rd. NE Albuquerque). There is no admission cost. You can purchase exquisite Turkish- Mediterranean foods (Doner Gyro Kebab, Baklava, Turkish Coffee and more), and enjoy cultural exhibits, folk dances, a children's area, arts & crafts and more!  Sign up to volunteer