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SM 19

NEW MEXICO MEAT, CHEESE & PRODUCE IN SCHOOLS

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Pat Boone and 3 co-sponsors

Directs NMDA and PED to form a work group to plan 50% in-state origin/processing of beef, cheese, and milk for New Mexico public schools, with a report due by Nov 1, 2025.

Signed
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Bill Summary · SM 19

Summary — SM 19: New Mexico Meat, Cheese & Produce in Schools (Senate Memorial 19)

Status: Signed (Memorial)
Introduced: Feb 28, 2025 | Final action: Signed Mar 13, 2025
Classification: Memorial (non‑binding resolution)

Purpose

SM 19 requests that the New Mexico Department of Agriculture (NMDA) and the Public Education Department (PED) convene a work group to develop a plan ensuring that 50% of the beef, cheese and milk served in New Mexico public schools both originate from and are processed by New Mexico producers. The memorial seeks recommendations to strengthen local sourcing, support the state agricultural economy, and increase locally controlled school food supply.

Key provisions

  • Directs NMDA and PED to convene a work group to design a plan to achieve a 50% in‑state origin and processing target for beef, cheese and milk served in public schools.
  • Sets a reporting deadline: the work group is requested to report recommendations to interim legislative committees studying agriculture and education by November 1, 2025. (Amendment changed date from September 1 to November 1, 2025.)
  • The Senate Education Committee amendment removed a provision that would have explicitly invited named industry organizations and companies to the work group.

Who is affected

  • State agencies: NMDA and PED (to convene and staff the work group).
  • Producers and processors: New Mexico cattle ranchers, dairy producers, cheese processors and local food suppliers.
  • Public schools and school food authorities: potential changes in procurement strategy, sourcing, and supplier relationships.
  • Students and school meal programs: potential impacts on menu ingredients and supply stability.
  • Industry programs: New Mexico Grown and other farm‑to‑institution efforts.

Fiscal and administrative impact

  • The Legislative Finance Committee fiscal note reports no additional operating budget impact; memorials contain no appropriation and are not enforceable law. Any costs are limited to staff time and routine agency work.
  • Administrative implication: PED must partner with NMDA and coordinate the work group and the November 1, 2025 report.

Context and considerations

  • The memorial cites New Mexico agricultural statistics used as rationale: roughly 1.4 million cattle, over 10,000 cattle farms/ranches, more than 100 licensed dairy herds (with a cited large average herd size), and statewide agricultural employment and output (about 48,000 jobs; ~$6 billion output; ~$2 billion labor income). Beef cattle ranching figures cited: ~16,000 jobs, $1.7 billion in output, ~$450 million in labor income.
  • Existing policy background: New Mexico’s Healthy Universal School Meals program (2023) requires free breakfast and lunch for all students and encourages local sourcing; the New Mexico Grown program (since 2015) supports farm-to-institution sourcing and has assisted farmers and institutions (reported: 277 producers helped; 161 institutions supplied; ~1.1 million pounds of food).
  • Challenges the work group may examine: regional disparities in access to local product, supply and processing capacity, cost differentials for locally sourced ingredients, supplier certification/approved supplier requirements, and distribution/logistics.

Relationship to other legislation

  • SM 19 is related to House Bill 229, which would appropriate $430,000 for the New Mexico Grown Approved Supplier Program.

Notes: As a memorial, SM 19 requests action and guidance rather than establishing binding law or funding.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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