Jennifer Ramo worked with Senator Michael Padilla to write state law banning schools from shaming children without ability to pay for meals. An effective approach to poverty requires taking care of short-term needs like food and shelter, with an eye on long-term solutions. Community realities have to inform any policy solutions just as much as legal and economic realities. New Mexico Appleseed addresses poverty from all of these perspectives. Jenny Ramo, founder and Executive Director of New Mexico Appleseed spoke about the organization’s work, including the nationally praised “Lunch Shaming Bill” and its work using data to predict and prevent problems associated with poverty.