Tracy Rodden, executive director for Feed New Mexico Kids, has highlighted the connection between food insecurity and increased risks of trafficking, drug use, and low graduation rates. Speaking on a podcast, she emphasized that weekend snack packs provide hope and stability for vulnerable students.
"Food insecurity is the tip of the iceberg, creating a domino effect where hungry high schoolers will do anything to eat, making them vulnerable to exploitation by adults for trafficking or drug use, especially since a fentanyl pill costs just 50 cents to escape despair," said Rodden. "This contributes to New Mexico's low high school graduation rates, perpetuating poverty, crime, and drug problems, as hungry children can't concentrate or succeed. Providing snack packs offers hope and stability for the weekend, enabling focus on education and breaking the cycle."
Rodden's remarks underscore New Mexico's ongoing challenges with child well-being and hunger. According to national scorecards, the state frequently ranks poorly in terms of child well-being due to high poverty rates, unstable employment, and reliance on safety-net programs. State food-security briefings indicate that nearly one in four children in New Mexico faced food insecurity in 2023, one of the highest rates nationally. In her interview on Suncast, Rodden explained how weekend hunger can lead teens to trade their safety for food or cheap fentanyl. She advocates for partnerships among churches, businesses, and nonprofits to intervene early by providing reliable snack packs.
New Mexico consistently records some of the highest child food-insecurity rates in the United States. A 2024 analysis by the University of New Mexico estimated that 22–23% of children—approximately 100,500 kids—lacked consistent access to sufficient food compared to about 18–19% nationally. Legislative analysts point out that this places New Mexico among the worst states for childhood hunger, with some rural counties experiencing child food-insecurity levels above one-third. These challenges compound already high child-poverty rates near 25%, creating conditions where students focus more on survival than education, making them more susceptible to predators and substance abuse.
Research supports Rodden's assertions regarding the links between hunger, education, and risk factors. National child-advocacy data reveal that food-insecure children are more likely to repeat grades, struggle with concentration, and exhibit behavioral issues leading to dropout risks. New Mexico already reports some of the lowest graduation rates in the country—a trend closely associated with concentrated poverty and high exposure to drugs like fentanyl identified as a growing threat across the Southwest by federal reports. By stabilizing weekends when school meals are unavailable, Rodden argues that predictable access to food reduces temptations from dangerous adult offers and helps teens remain focused on their education.
Tracy Rodden leads Feed New Mexico Kids' efforts as a nonprofit organization dedicated to ending childhood hunger through school-based snack-pack programs. She collaborates with churches, businesses, and civic groups to support food-insecure students. Rodden often shares her personal experiences of growing up hungry on Christian radio and podcasts while explaining connections between hunger, trafficking, and drugs. She encourages congregations to "adopt" schools by funding or packing weekend bags as part of her practical community-driven approach—mobilizing volunteers and tracking needs school by school—to remind supporters that reliable food can be a crucial first step out of despair for vulnerable children.
