Gabe Vasquez Questions Ag. Sec. Brooke Rollins on Frozen Food Pantry Funds and Firefighter Cuts

Food Pantry Funding Concerns

• ❓ Rep. Gabe Vasquez questioned Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins regarding the abrupt freezing of funding for the Frontier Food Hub in Silver City, New Mexico.
• 🎯 This food pantry, vital for hundreds of miles, supports rural producers and feeds families, but had its Community Food Project grant frozen mid-term without explanation.
• ⚠️ Vasquez expressed concern that this action jeopardized the food security of the region and asked for a commitment to uphold funding for rural communities.
• 🤝 Secretary Rollins stated that ensuring taxpayer dollars support producers and address food insecurity remains a priority, and requested specific details on the compromised goals.

Wildfire Preparedness and Staffing

• 🔥 Vasquez raised concerns about dozens of experienced Forest Service firefighters and trail crews being fired or sidelined ahead of peak wildfire season.
• 🌲 He highlighted the importance of trail crews in maintaining trails and cutting fire lines, essential for firefighting operations.
• 📊 The Secretary responded that the USDA is 96% operational and ahead of the previous year's preparedness, with more firefighters ready.
• 💬 Both Vasquez and Rollins agreed to follow up on the specific impact of these staffing decisions on public safety and the firefighting ecosystem in New Mexico.

Contractual Obligations and Local Engagement

• 📜 Vasquez introduced the Honor Farmers Contracts Act, aiming to allow the USDA to fully pay for executed contracts, some dating back to the previous year.
• 🗣️ He also mentioned creating an agricultural advisory group in his district, comprising local leaders from various agricultural sectors.
• 📍 Vasquez invited Secretary Rollins to visit New Mexico's second district to understand the local impacts firsthand, an invitation the Secretary accepted.