‘Frustrating situation’
Import rules halt delivery of bread to families in Mexico, pastor says
SAN LUIS, Ariz. — A San Luis church that collects food donations for needy families in Mexico is being prevented from taking bread across the border because of more stringent importation regulations, the church pastor says.
Jose Manuel Castro, pastor of Gethsemani Baptist Church, said the rule that went into effect several months ago is preventing the church’s food ministry program from bringing nearly 3 tons of bread a week through the Mexican port of entry at San Luis Rio Colorado.
“It is a frustrating situation,” said Castro. “It means we no longer can bring bread to the tables of many vulnerable families. We are asking that someone in authority intercede so that that problem can be resolved and help can come to the families.”
The problem, he said, stems from a new regulation that prohibits bringing across bread within three months of its expiration date, said Castro.
Apart from the new rule enforced by Mexico’s Tax Administration System, Castro said, donated food is being held up at the border by delays on that agency’s part in approving the church’s petitions to import the food. The applications now must be submitted online to the agency, but are not being approved until several weeks later.
“It is bread that is in good condition, it is OK to eat,” Castro said. “Yes, it’s approaching its expiration date, but it can be eaten without any problem. But customs regulations don’t allow it to (cross the border) on time.”
Officials from Tax Administration System, known by its Spanish acronym SAT, did not respond to requests for comment.
Gethsemani’s food ministry, established in 1999, collects donations of meat,
chicken, vegetables, bread, milk products and other food items in Phoenix, Tucson and Yuma County for distribution to needy families on both sides of the border. The ministry each week collects an average of 10 tons of bread donated from store shelves.
The bread not allowed across the border on a timely basis ends up being discarded, Castro said.
Castro said the church has sought help in San Luis Rio Colorado in solving the problem from Integral Family Development, a social service organization authorized to receive the donations on behalf of the families.
The organization, known as DIF, can facilitate the process of importing food donations, but it can’t waive the SAT rules, said Marlon Abril, spokeman for DIF.
Castro said he is continuing to make appeals across the border to anyone in position to help relax the requirements.
“There has to be some politician or oficial who can apply pressure to facilitate the arrival of donations that are needed so much on the other side of the border.”