Eighteen agribusinesses in New Mexico will receive a combined $3.54 million through a federal grant aimed at strengthening the local food supply chain. The funding, awarded as part of the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure (RFSI) program and in partnership with the New Mexico Department of Agriculture, targets improvements for mid-chain food producers.
The RFSI grant supports projects focused on increasing capacity for processing, aggregation, and distribution of local foods. This includes construction projects, equipment purchases for locally produced products, and expansion of processing facilities to diversify value-added offerings.
Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham commented on the significance of the initiative: “Supporting our farmers, ranchers and food entrepreneurs is an investment in our economy, and in healthier communities and stronger connections between New Mexicans and the food grown here at home. These projects will help ensure that more of the food on our tables is produced, processed and distributed right here in New Mexico.”
The recipients include Backyard Farms, LLC; Bluefly Farms, LLC; B Street Market; Chavez Farms; Corrales Classic Farms; Desert Verde Farm, LLC; El Calvario United Methodist Church; Frontier Food Hub; Indian Pueblo Cultural Center; La Granada; La Mesa Organic Farms; New Mexico Ferments; New Mexico Harvest; Rio Grande Community Development Corporation; Santa Fe Farmers Market; Santa Fe Farmers Market Institute; Silverleaf Family Farms, LLC; and Statewide Products Company, Inc.
Jeff Witte, Secretary of Agriculture for New Mexico, said: “By investing in the middle of the supply chain, we’re helping New Mexico producers bring more local food to market and strengthening our state’s food system.”
Among the funded projects:
– Frontier Food Hub will purchase two mobile cold storage units to serve Lordsburg, Deming, and Catron County. This aims to extend product shelf life and expand access to programs such as Fresh RX and farm-to-school initiatives while creating new opportunities for rural growers.
– La Mesa Organic Farms plans to upgrade mobile kitchen and processing equipment to increase production of heritage apple cider and blue corn products. The upgrades are expected to allow expansion into additional regional farmers markets while preserving traditional local foodways.
– Statewide Products Company, Inc., a woman-owned business distributing food products across rural areas of New Mexico, will use its funds to upgrade equipment, implement customer ordering software, and acquire delivery vehicles with lower emissions. This should improve transportation efficiency for products like chile, salsa, and jams.
