Legislation

Public Policy and Legislation

The New Mexico SNA takes an interest in and is very active in all matters of public policy and legislation that affects health and nutrition of children, especially as it pertains to child nutrition in school. We advocate measures that seek to improve the nutritional environment, operational regulations, program expenses, reimbursement rates and other important issues that affect school nutrition programs. We thank the Congress for continuing to support child nutrition and for recognizing that nutrition is linked to good health, academic achievement and national security.

Urgent Attention Needed: NMSNA members will be asked to vote on the proposed changes to the NMSNA Standing Rules.  Please use the link below to go to the document and look at the proposed changes, marked in red, so that you will be ready to vote at our meeting in June.

Legislation Resources

  • House Bill 10

  • What's new you ask?

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      CURRENT SITUATION

      Now in its second full year, Universal School Meals is serving more students than ever, with 56,139,940 meals provided to children across New Mexico. Maintaining this success and to ensure every student has access to nutritious food the Office of the Governor recommends $42.2 million in recurring funding for FY27. Legislative Finance Committee (LFC) additionally recommends $5.1793 million contingent on a budgetary shortfall in FY27 due to growth in participation of meals rates. Remember that this proposed budget will be operationalized under the current Grisham-Lujan Administration and a new.  It has been the practice that certain initiatives, like New Mexico Grown, have been included in the appropriation, but not statutorily or legislatively dictated.

       

      Federal Changes:  Recent HHS Updates to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans

      The recent updates to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, announced by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, significantly impact school menus across the U.S. These guidelines, which emphasize a return to "real food," prioritize protein, full-fat dairy, and whole foods while advocating for a reduction in highly processed foods and added sugars 1 2.

      Key Changes Affecting School Menus:

      1. Increased Protein: Schools are encouraged to include more protein-rich foods in meals, such as meats, dairy, and legumes, at every meal 3.
      2. Full-Fat Dairy: The guidelines recommend serving full-fat dairy products instead of low-fat options, which may lead to changes in milk offerings in schools 4 3.
      3. Reduced Processed Foods: There is a strong push to eliminate ultra-processed foods from school menus, which includes items like chips, sugary snacks, and sweetened beverages 5 3.
      4. Focus on Whole Foods: Schools are encouraged to serve more whole fruits, vegetables, and grains, moving away from refined carbohydrates 2 3.

      Stay tuned as your NMSNA continues to meet with our Legislators to help them understand as well as get their support and help us in continuing to feed our students through NM.