The Food Depot urges Senate to Defend SNAP and Medicaid
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 22, 2025
AFTER HOUSE VOTE, THE FOOD DEPOT URGES SENATE TO DEFEND SNAP AND MEDICAID, END THREATS TO LONG-TERM STABILITY
Santa Fe, NM — Following the House of Representatives’ passage of the budget reconciliation “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” The Food Depot strongly opposes any provisions that reduce funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Medicaid. Any cuts to nutrition programs or actions that restrict access to foundational programs will increase hunger in New Mexico. We urge the U.S. Senate to reject these harmful proposals.
“SNAP is a lifeline for families, seniors, veterans, and children in New Mexico. The Senate must reject these provisions before people face even greater challenges to access food and healthcare,” said Jill Dixon, Executive Director of The Food Depot. “Food banks cannot solve hunger alone. We need strong federal programs working with the charitable food system and other community partners to end hunger.”
SNAP is the nation’s most effective anti-hunger program. The Food Bank network, while incredibly effective, can not replace the scale of federal programs. For every meal provided by food banks and other charitable food sources, SNAP provides nine meals. With nearly 50 million Americans facing food insecurity, the highest level in over a decade, The Food Depot urges investments in SNAP, not cuts or added eligibility requirements.
Over 451,000 New Mexicans, or 1 in 5 people, are enrolled in SNAP. The program lifted 60,000 people out of poverty annually between 2015 and 2019, including 25,000 children.
Cuts to SNAP would directly harm New Mexicans:
- More than 61% of New Mexico SNAP participants are in families with children.
- More than 31% are in families with older adults or people with disabilities.
- 79% of SNAP households in New Mexico include someone who is working.
At a time when 16.6% of New Mexico households are struggling with food insecurity and 25.3% of children live in poverty, these programs must be strengthened and no unnecessary burdens should be placed on eligible families.
Cuts to SNAP would additionally have a direct impact on New Mexico’s economy. In 2023, over 1,500 New Mexico retailers, including grocery stores and farmers’ markets, redeemed over $1.28 billion in SNAP benefits. Every $1 spent with SNAP generates up to $1.80 in economic activity. SNAP invests in local economies, especially in rural areas, by supporting family-owned grocery stores, farmers markets, and food retailers.
Medicaid is also critical to New Mexico’s rural communities. With half of the state’s rural hospitals currently operating at loss and 39% of New Mexico’s population supported by Medicaid, cuts to Medicaid will have lasting effects on health and hunger. Cuts to Medicaid may lead to a further reduction in clinical services or even closures, leaving families without access to care. Approximately 40% of Medicaid recipients also use SNAP. The programs work together to improve health outcomes and reduce emergency room visits. When adults participate in SNAP, they have an average of $1,400 less in medical care costs than adults with low incomes who do not receive SNAP. Cutting both Medicaid and SNAP would be forcing families to choose between food, medicine, and survival.
The Food Depot urges Senator Martin Heinrich, Senator Ben Ray Luján, and senators across the country to reject these cuts and protect SNAP and Medicaid. These programs are effective tools to end hunger and promote health. When preserved, these federal programs support the work of New Mexico’s charitable food system and the long-term stability of the state. The Food Depot stands ready to work with lawmakers on policies that support healthy, hunger-free communities.
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Historic Legislative Funding Supports NM Hunger-Relief Network
Historic Legislative Funding Will Help Provide Food and Support to Hunger-Relief Organizations throughout New Mexico
April 21, 2025
Albuquerque/Santa Fe, NM (April 18, 2025) – The close of the New Mexico legislative session resulted in historic bipartisan support for New Mexico’s hunger-relief network. With the legislature’s approval and the signature by the Governor of House Bill 2, this $30 million investment in food and capacity building over the next three years will help New Mexicans experiencing hunger across the state.
Funds can be used by regional food banks to procure food to provide to hundreds of food distribution partners in New Mexico. In addition, the funding can assist partner locations to upgrade older facilities or obtain the necessary equipment to distribute food. Currently, there is limited or inadequate cold and dry good storage space for many hunger-relief partners — especially in rural, frontier and tribal communities. The ability to use part of the funds for capacity building would allow food distribution sites to increase the variety of foods coming from their regional food bank. It will also enhance their capacity to capture unsold or “rescued” food products from food industry partners, a low-cost way to get more food donations.
“Every pound of food provided to our food distribution partners reduces the growing meal gap in our state. Right now, there is a lot of uncertainty with cuts to USDA programs at the federal level and waning consumer confidence - which is one of the main drivers of charitable giving,” said Katy Anderson, vice president of strategy, partnerships and advocacy at Roadrunner Food Bank. “The funding will help offset a portion of the federal food cuts we have already experienced, but even with this historic and bipartisan commitment, there is still much more work and funding needed to build a hunger-free New Mexico.”
House Bill 2 also included start-up funding for a new initiative called Food is Medicine. The program will be housed within the state’s Health Care Authority. The concept of “Food is Medicine” links the critical role that food and nutrition have on health and healing. In New Mexico, the program will establish a framework for healthcare entities, food banks and other community organizations to provide medically tailored foods, groceries and meals. Patients managing chronic health conditions will receive access to nutritious food as a therapeutic health intervention and will receive referrals for wraparound services to improve their health outcomes. While the program is still in the planning phases, the initial focus of the Food is Medicine program will include pregnant women and homebound seniors facing chronic health issues.
Jill Dixon, executive director of The Food Depot said, “In these uncertain times, hunger-relief organizations are proud to talk about the important successes from this year’s legislative session. Progress is made possible by partnership, persistent advocacy, and the commitment of our elected officials. We sincerely thank Senate Finance Chair Sen. George Muñoz, House Appropriations & Finance Chair Rep. Nathan Small, the members of those committees, the New Mexico House and Senate, and Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham for their leadership and commitment to addressing hunger in our state. It takes everyone to address the challenges that food insecurity creates here in New Mexico.”
USDA Terminates Regional Farm to Food Bank Program
USDA Federal Funding Cuts Terminate Successful Program Connecting Local NM Food Producers and Food BanksMarch 17, 2025
Santa Fe, NM – The Food Depot, Northern New Mexico’s Food Bank, regrets to announce that federal funding supporting the Regional Farm to Food Bank (RF2FB) program has been terminated, despite an initial extension, effectively bringing the federally funded program to an end.The RF2FB has been instrumental in connecting New Mexico farmers, ranchers, and food producers to the state’s food bank network. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) termination of federal funding creates uncertainty for local food producers who sell to food banks and reduces access to locally grown food statewide.
The RF2FB program, created under the American Rescue Plan Act in 2021, is currently funded through the USDA Local Food Purchase Assistance (LFPA) Cooperative Agreement. Since its inception, the RF2FB has been a significant purchaser of local foods, accounting for 34% of all NM Grown institutional purchases from small and midsize producers in 2024.
“During the last three years, New Mexico’s RF2FB program has been a national standout, spending more than $3.6 million with local producers on healthy and culturally appropriate food,” says Denise Miller, Executive Director of the New Mexico Farmers’ Marketing Association that partners with The Food Depot on this initiative.
In October 2024, the USDA announced a $500 million extension of the LFPA program, with $2.8 million designated for New Mexico, prompting producers to plan and invest in the next three-year cycle. However, on March 7, 2025, the USDA informed the New Mexico Department of Agriculture (NMDA) that it would terminate the 2025 LFPA Cooperative Agreement, ending federal funding for the RF2FB and halting operations when the current LFPA program ends.
“The federal government’s decision to end this program delivers a major blow to families like mine who are heavily invested in feeding our communities locally produced beef. There’s nothing more American than feeding your community fresh beef that was born, raised, and processed in a 60-mile radius. Ranching isn’t just our livelihood—it’s our heritage,” explains Manny Encinias, owner of Trilogy Beef and Buffalo Creek Ranch in Moriarty, NM. “Without this support, we risk losing more than income; we risk losing the ability to sustain our land, our families, and our way of life. This decision doesn’t just impact ranchers. It threatens the entire rural economy, including locally owned businesses like our USDA meat processing facility, which depends on ranching families like us to stay in operation. Perhaps most concerning, it makes it even harder to bring the next generation back to the ranch,” stresses Mr. Encinias. “Without programs like this, the future of family ranching becomes even more uncertain, discouraging the very people we need to carry this way of life forward.”
The loss of federal support has a profound impact on local farmers, ranchers, food banks, and families who depend on this critical program.
- 94% of RF2FB purchases in 2024 were purchased from socially disadvantaged and historically underserved producers.
- 899,402 pounds of locally grown food have been distributed since January 2023, providing 749,502 healthy meals.
- Every $1 spent on local food generates $1.70 in economic benefits, reinforcing regional economies.
- The RF2FB has delivered food to over 250 distribution sites across all 33 New Mexico counties.
- 17 out of 33 New Mexico counties have participating producers.
- In FY24, 34% of all NM Grown institutional purchases came from The RF2FB.
- Over 200 New Mexican farmers, ranchers, and small local food businesses have benefited from this program.
The Food Depot, in partnership with the New Mexico Department of Agriculture, manages the program for the New Mexico Association of Food Banks (NMAFB). All five of New Mexico’s food banks secure food through partnerships with donors, nationwide procurement efforts, and food rescue. The Regional Farm to Food Bank program allowed the food bank network to invest in local producers and enhanced the healthy and culturally responsive food options at local food bank distributions.
“This program has played a vital role in strengthening New Mexico’s food system,” says Jill Dixon, Executive Director at The Food Depot. “The loss of funding will disrupt supply chains and also impact the livelihoods of the farmers and the communities they help feed.”
The Food Depot and the New Mexico Farmers’ Marketing Association (NMFMA) are urging New Mexico’s congressional delegation to create a permanent LFPA program in the next Farm Bill to maintain the proven partnership between local farmers, growers, and food banks. Additionally, we are pushing to reverse the decision to terminate LFPA25 and reinstate it. The Food Depot and NMFMA remain committed to advocating for strong food systems and ensuring that all New Mexicans continue to have access to fresh, locally sourced food.
Organizational Contacts
The Food Depot
Jill Dixon, Executive Director
New Mexico Farmers’ Marketing Association
Denise Miller, Executive Director
“Movement” Earns Emmy Nomination
The Food Depot’s “Movement” Earns Emmy NominationSeptember 11, 2024
Santa Fe—The Food Depot, Northern New Mexico’s food bank, was honored this week to receive a prestigious Emmy nomination for its short film “Movement”. The film, created by Docufilms in late 2023 and released shortly after, was produced by Docufilms founder Michael Campbell and directed by Zac Cornfield.
“Movement” was nominated in the Branded Content Long Form category by the Rocky Mountain Southwest Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. Their designated awards region includes Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, and El Centro, CA. Winners will be announced at an awards gala on November 16, 2024.
Donors and supporters can watch the 20-minute film now on The Food Depot’s website.
The Rocky Mountain Emmys website describes Branded Content nominees as “excellence in connecting or engaging an audience with an organization’s brand. The content integrates the brand or brand messaging in the storytelling in an entertaining, creative, or emotional way. This prestigious nomination highlights The Food Depot’s innovation and heart, bringing its hunger-relief mission and impact to life in a way that stays with audiences long after the film ends.
“We couldn’t be more thrilled,” shares Jill Dixon, Executive Director of The Food Depot. “This honor really belongs to everyone who makes the daily movement of The Food Depot a reality—our staff, volunteers, supporters, and partners. We are so thankful to Docufilms for the gift of ‘Movement’ and for this nomination.”
“Movement” tells the inspiring story of the movement of millions of pounds of food from farms, trucks, food distributions, and volunteers into the hands of clients across Northern New Mexico. The Food Depot and its partners work daily to move emergency food, but also work to advocate for long-term food security solutions. The film features the movement of The Food Depot’s staff and volunteers at their own programs and a look at food-security partners, including Reunity Resources in Santa Fe, Bernal Community Center in San Miguel County, and Market Street grocery store.
“The Food Depot is definitely on the move,” says “Movement” producer Michael Campbell, of Docufilms. “The first time I toured The Food Depot I thought we were going to do a film about warehouses, trucks, and logistics. What I soon realized was we were doing a film about the fight to end hunger, powered by the love and dedication of its staff and volunteers. This nomination is recognition of their commitment to ending poverty in Northern New Mexico.”
“The film tries to capture the true spirit of The Food Depot,” shares director Zac Cornfield. “I hope this nomination encourages even more people to join their movement.”
The 20-minute film can be watched on The Food Depot’s website at thefooddepot.org/movement.
Organization Contact: Amanda Bregel, Communications Manager
The Food Depot Responds to New Mexico Fire and Floods, Seeks Community Support for Emergencies
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 23, 2024
Contacts:
Jill Dixon, Deputy Director, jdixon@thefooddepot.org
Amanda Bregel, Communications Manager, abregel@thefooddepot.org
The Food Depot Responds to New Mexico Fire and Floods, Seeks Community Support for Emergencies
Santa Fe — The Food Depot, Northern New Mexico’s food bank, has rapidly mobilized in the past week to support recent emergency responses to fires and flooding across the state. The food bank collaborated with Roadrunner Food Bank to provide resources during the South Fork Fire and the Salt Fire near Ruidoso. Following flooding in Las Vegas, operations mobilized to deliver a semi-truck of bottled water to Las Vegas. Now, The Food Depot calls upon the community to enable their continued swift response.
“Food banks have always been on the front lines during a disaster,” shares Jill Dixon, Deputy Director. “With the community’s help, The Food Depot is prepared to respond to any emergency at a moment’s notice. We remain in close contact with our statewide partners to continue supporting current fire and flooding relief efforts with food, resources, and funds.”
To date, The Food Depot has been supporting the disaster response efforts of Roadrunner Food Bank in Albuquerque, the primary food bank for the Ruidoso area. On June 19th, The Food Depot delivered nine pallets of hygiene kits to Roadrunner and will continue responding to requests for support. Since the South Fork Fire began, Roadrunner has delivered almost 100,000 pounds of food and supplies to evacuees and first responders.
After heavy rain disrupted the water supply in Las Vegas, NM, the weekend of June 21st, the city asked residents to restrict their water usage. The emergency has left tens of thousands of people without drinking water. The Food Depot immediately responded to calls for bottled water from state emergency management, delivering eighteen pallets of bottled water just a few hours after receiving the call for assistance.
“Water is necessary for people to survive,” says Samuel Madrid-Huerta, a Distributions Coordinator at The Food Depot. “I got the call about Las Vegas on Sunday morning during my son’s soccer game. I came right into work because The Food Depot is here when people need help. Within three hours, I was able to load the truck, drive to Las Vegas, and unload with the National Guard.”
The Food Depot anticipates an increased need for emergency resources this summer across Northern New Mexico and the wider state. The nonprofit is requesting donations for its disaster assistance fund to help staff respond quickly in the event of any disaster. At this time, the food bank is only collecting monetary donations and donations of bottled water. Funds give The Food Depot the flexibility to quickly mobilize resources and personnel to where they are needed most. All funds donated through the disaster assistance fund will bring hope to communities experiencing emergencies across Northern New Mexico and the wider state. Donations can be made online at thefooddepot.org/disaster-donations/ or checks can be mailed to 1222A Siler Road in Santa Fe.
Donations of sealed bottled water can be dropped off at the lobby of The Food Depot’s warehouse in Santa Fe at 1222A Siler Road. Hours of operation are 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday - Friday.
For Albuquerque residents who need help or resources, please contact Roadrunner Food Bank at info@rrfb.org or call (505) 349-8909. In Santa Fe and Northern New Mexico, individuals can find a food distribution, donate, or talk to The Food Depot Navigation Team at thefooddepot.org or by calling (505) 471-1633.
The Food Depot Announces Jill Dixon to Serve as Executive Director
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEMarch 11, 2024
SANTA FE— The Food Depot’s Board of Directors announced today that Jill Dixon will succeed Sherry Hooper as the Executive Director of The Food Depot, Northern New Mexico’s Food Bank. Dixon, who has been with the food bank since 2012, will assume the lead role, effective July 1, 2024.
Dixon currently serves as the Deputy Director of The Food Depot, a leadership role she has held since 2021. Len Rand, president of The Food Depot’s Board of Directors, expressed enthusiasm about the transition, stating, “We are pleased to announce this appointment. Jill brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to the communities we serve. She has been dedicated to The Food Depot for over a decade and has the full support of the board in her new role.”
Dixon joined The Food Depot in 2012 as the organization’s first Development Director. One of her early successes was the “Building Hope” capital campaign for the warehouse in Santa Fe. Her continuous focus on providing healthy food and vital resources to families in New Mexico resulted in the development of many of The Food Depot’s innovative programs, all of which impact thousands of lives each day. Dixon oversaw the creation of multiple key programs, including The Food Depot’s Casita de Comida, Resource Navigation, Diaper Depot, Food 4 Pets, and The Food Mobile. As Deputy Director, she also guided the nonprofit through the development of its current strategic plan, which will lead The Food Depot through 2025.
“I am so grateful for Jill’s leadership and the many wonderful years we have worked together,” says Sherry Hooper, the current Executive Director. “I know The Food Depot’s future is in capable hands.”
“I would like to thank the board of directors for this opportunity,” says Dixon. “The Food Depot holds such a pivotal role in this community. It is an honor to serve our communities in such a profound way. I look forward to continuing to build on the initiatives and partnerships Sherry Hooper and I started together.”
Dixon will succeed Sherry Hooper, The Food Depot’s longtime Executive Director, who assumed the leadership role in 2001. Hooper’s final day at The Food Depot is June 30, 2024.
The Food Depot’s Executive Director Sherry Hooper to Retire
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEFebruary 22, 2024
Following a long career of dedicated service to Northern New Mexico families, Sherry Hooper has elected to retire as Executive Director of The Food Depot effective June 30, 2024, after more than 22 years at the food bank. A transition committee is actively seeking a qualified individual to serve as The Food Depot’s next executive director.
Hooper, who started with The Food Depot in September of 2001, is the longest-serving executive director in the food bank’s history. Prior to her arrival in 2001, Hooper spent ten years at Harvesters Food Bank in Kansas City, MO, her hometown. Ensuring food security for others has been the work of her lifetime.
“Leading The Food Depot has been one of my greatest joys. Every day I’ve had the opportunity to work with a community dedicated to providing healthy food to so many children and families. Northern New Mexico is now my second home, and I could not be more proud of the change we have made together,” says Hooper.
Hooper’s vision for The Food Depot has been transformational. From a small organization operating from a warehouse less than 5,000 square feet, Hooper led the nonprofit through a capital campaign to construct the food bank’s current building in Santa Fe. Today, The Food Depot warehouse occupies 27,000 square feet, distributing over 9 million pounds of food annually through the hard work of 41 staff members and a corps of 708 active volunteers. Innovative programs, ambitious strategic plans, and strong partnerships have become the cornerstones of The Food Depot under Hooper’s pursuit for a truly hunger free Northern New Mexico. Her leadership has empowered the food bank to pivot and grow to meet crippling levels of need across a pandemic, natural disasters, and rising inflation.
Today, The Food Depot stands as a Tried and True organization in Northern New Mexico, reliably providing food security to more than 40,000 people in nine counties. Hooper demands that The Food Depot follow the words of Desmond Tutu: “There comes a point where we need to stop just pulling people out of the river. We need to go upstream and find out why they’re falling in.” The Food Depot’s work now includes a focus on connecting people to wraparound services to more adequately address their needs, as well as a focus on advocacy that encourages systemic change.
“Sherry is a remarkable person,” says David Barton, current board member and former President of The Food Depot Board of Directors. “Her energy, intelligence and compassion are an inspiration. What a privilege to work with her for so many wonderful years.”
As an indicator of her skills as a leader, Hooper has intentionally surrounded herself with a diverse and talented group of individuals ready to continue her legacy. The Food Depot’s current strategic plan was adopted in 2021 and will guide the organization through 2026.
The Food Depot’s Board of Directors has appointed a dedicated transition committee to explore highly qualified individuals to fill the executive director position within the next several months. The Food Depot’s full leadership team is committed to providing their continued, steady leadership throughout the search and selection process.
“The Food Depot is dedicated to our network of community partners and the people we serve,” assures Len Rand, current President of The Food Depot’s Board of Directors. “Sherry has made a tremendous impact on this organization. As part of the transition committee, I am confident we will appoint an executive director who will lead the food bank with the same wisdom and determination.”
Over the Food Depot plans to host several scheduled opportunities for donors, partners, and the community to celebrate Sherry’s incredible impact on Northern New Mexico. Community members are encouraged to send Sherry a handwritten card to The Food Depot with a note of appreciation. Cards should be mailed to 1222 A Siler Road, Santa Fe, NM 87507.
The Food Depot takes a laudable leap of faith
By Phill Casaus pcasaus@sfnewmexican.com
Mar 26, 2022 Updated May 1, 2023
One of the gutsier moves around Santa Fe in the past several months took place at The Food Depot, which for years has been fighting to stave off hunger in Northern New Mexico with persistence, pluck and a near-maniacal devotion to mission.
No one can argue the organization is unsuccessful: It distributed 10.5 million pounds of food in 2021, averaging about 737,627 meals each month. In a part of the world wracked by poverty and pandemic, it answered the call throughout the crisis. People worked through vacations and days off; badly needed if not life-giving food deliveries were made on weekends. Sacrifices, big and small, were real.
“I’m so proud of us and our staff,” said Food Depot Deputy Director Jill Dixon, assessing the past two years. “The Food Depot came and stood up for the community. And I stand by that. But it doesn’t mean we can’t do it better.”
And so, with those words echoing every day, comes a very large and daunting next step. With plenty of introspection and little fanfare, The Food Depot basically tore up its old model of operation and said, more or less: Let’s really aim big.
In the coming months and years, The Food Depot — its fiscal year ’22 budget is $8.1 million — plans to change how it operates, transforming from an organization that largely provided “indirect service” to one that aggressively and strategically seeks out hunger in a hands-on way with better-aimed efforts.
In short, The Food Depot is not merely going to deliver food, Dixon said. It’s going to seek more information from its clients about what the “right” food is and creatively figure out ways to make sure those offerings get into the right hands at the right time.
Coming in July, to Española: the launch of a free grocery store concept that will have items hungry people can select as if they were going to Smith’s or Albertsons. That doesn’t mean Casita de Comida will have the selection a regular store would provide, but it will offer more options and opportunities to those who need them. The pilot, assuming it’s successful, could roll out at a later date to other cities as well, including Santa Fe, Las Vegas, N.M., and Raton.
Coming in 2023: a contraption known as Foodmobile Dos, the next generation of the depot’s Big Blue Bus that delivered food to hungry communities in the area. The bus is nice, Dixon says, but the next iteration is a custom-ordered semi-trailer, with 900 square feet of interior space that can serve 250 households as soon as it pulls into a parking lot, or in the case of a lot of Northern New Mexico locales, dirt road.
Under a new strategic plan, approved by The Food Depot’s board of directors, the new way of doing business is extensive and more involved than just those two examples, Dixon said. But it’s indicative of the changes — both in thought and action — wrought by the pandemic.
Dixon said the first signs that change would be coming arrived when many of The Food Depot’s partners — often, nonprofits that relied on older volunteers to take Food Depot offerings and get them to clients — could not actually deliver the food due to the health risks.
“We ran into the ‘How is food going to get to Mora County this month?’ thing,” Dixon recounted. “If the one person who executes it gets COVID, what do you do?”
But there were other signs as well. One came home to Dixon as she spoke with an elderly woman about a food distribution during the pandemic. The woman was grateful and thankful because she, like all too many in this country, didn’t have another option. But the apples Dixon provided? She couldn’t eat them because of the state of her teeth.
“It makes you take a step back,” Dixon said. “We had done so much in terms of logistics … we’d loaded thousands of pounds of food. But never for a second did I think: Is this food right for the people we’re serving?”
Going forward, she said, The Food Depot plans to talk with its food recipients, hear them out, about the food they need, not just the food they get. Simple questions, such as, “If you could choose 10 items, what would they be?” could help the organization make better choices on where, when and how to help. And with the difficulties faced by nonprofits during the pandemic, The Food Depot may have to lead the charge on hunger, not just be the armory.
Northern New Mexico’s food bank is not the first in the country to give this new reality a whirl; the ideas have been tried outside the state. But in a place where hurdles are high and real, the thought that The Food Depot would eschew safety for ambition is laudable. Not everyone would try it.
“Our discomfort,” Dixon replies, “is in the best interest of people who are trusting us.”
Phill Casaus is editor of The New Mexican
