The COVID-19 crisis is teaching us how valuable a local food supply really is. It goes beyond supporting a local economy, which sometimes doesn’t seem to directly impact our families or day-to-day lives. Now we’re learning that a local food supply is more than a vague concept: It’s a necessity,…
We live in a time when recipes are everywhere, yet fewer people cook meals at home than ever before. We’re cooking less not only because it’s tough to put a balanced meal on the table after work, but also because many lack the knowledge necessary to know what all of those instructions…
Ancestral peoples of the southwest knew how to deal with shifting and unpredictable climate patterns. For thousands of years they learned about and adapted to changes in terrain and moisture patterns, and selected their domesticated and wild food plants accordingly. Many of their techniques are still practiced today by the…
No one is born knowing how to cook. Like everything else, cooking must be learned including the tools, techniques, and terminology that go along with the craft. The terminology can sometimes be confusing, especially when definitions provided by online sources conflict or are unclear. Is it bouillon or stock? Broth…
Can you afford to throw out food? Probably not, but you might be doing exactly that (up to 40% of food is wasted, according to the USDA). The biggest contributors to food waste are the perfectly edible peels, stalks, stems, and cores that we mindlessly toss into the garbage. But these can be nutritious and…
The ways in which we get food into our kitchens varies, from growing our own, to buying from farmers and ranchers, to visiting local grocery store chains. But significant changes are coming to our food supply system. How will you shop to get the freshest, best tasting, healthiest foods for…
When most people think of genetically modified foods (GMOs), they immediately ponder the health impacts. But there are six things that are frequently excluded from the debate about GMOs in the food supply that need to be understood: 1) We lose control once the GMOs are let loose in the…
While we frequently hear how important it is to “eat your greens”, what we don’t hear is how important it is to eat a wide variety of greens! While greens — lettuces, cruciferous leafy greens, spinach, chard, and more — are indeed nutritional powerhouses, they don’t all supply the same nutritive benefits….
Time is always at a premium, which includes time to sit down and plan healthy, affordable meals for the week. One habit that can help make planning a breeze is having reliable kitchen staples on hand, ready to create quick, healthy meals. Check out these 20 local staples and how…
The approach of fall weather brings to mind classic comfort foods, warm from the oven. Roasting vegetables is one of the easiest ways to get delicious fall flavors reflecting the season, direct from your local farmer to your home table. Directions for roasting vegetables are basically the same and are…
August and September provide the peak-season harvest when it comes to fresh produce purchased from your local farmer! The sheer variety of juicy peaches, crisp cucumbers, colorful squash, milky corn, luscious tomatoes, and more are unrivaled during late spring and into fall. Now is the time to buy in bulk…
It’s peak season, and farmers all over the state are harvesting a true cornucopia of goodness, including peaches, pears, blackberries, melons, corn, tomatoes, cucumbers, greens, eggplant, squash of all kinds, and much, much more. It’s the time to stuff yourself with the local deliciousness! It’s also a great time to…
Food has always meant family and community, whether it’s a weekend dinner at home, block parties, or local festivals. Breaking bread with neighbors, tribal members, friends, and loved ones are forms of bonding that increase our important connections to others, through food. The industrialized food system has, in many ways, robbed…
Last week we wrote about Six Ways to Eat Local Summer Squash. We couldn’t stop ourselves from coming up with even more ways to eat this versatile and tasty summer vegetable! As a reminder, summer squash are frequently (but not always) young winter squash, eaten while the rinds are soft and edible. They are available…
The New Mexico Department of Agriculture will hold four public hearings to propose the repeal and adoption of 21.15.1 NMAC — “Organic Agriculture” (view the Organic Agriculture Proposed Rule here). During the public hearings the newly proposed fee structure for the New Mexico Department of Agriculture’s Organic Program will be…
Summer squashes are frequently (but not always) young winter squashes, eaten while the rinds are soft and edible. Versatile and tasty, summer squash varieties are available from New Mexico’s farmers starting in June and heading into fall. There are many varieties of summer squash available for your kitchen, from the ubiquitous zucchini, to…
There are many reasons why fresh lettuce purchased from your local farmer is superior to the corporate-grown greens on your grocery store shelf. Here are the top five! 1) Local greens have more nutrition and better taste Local lettuce is at its peak flavor, nutrition, and freshness, having been picked…
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – Lowe’s grocery stores are giving shoppers in Albuquerque and Santa Fe some motivation to eat locally grown fruits and veggies. The new program called “double up food bucks” kicked off Wednesday. The dollar-for-dollar match allows shoppers to use their snap benefits to buy fresh New Mexico-grown produce…
SANTA FE TODAY: Food King and Lowe’s grocery stores are giving shoppers in Santa Fe and Albuquerque new motivation to eat more locally grown fruits and vegetables this season. Shoppers who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits (SNAP, formerly known as food stamps) can now receive dollar-for-dollar match—up to $25…
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Do you want a peak at the 2017 NMFMA Annual Conference agenda before you arrive for the conference in Santa Fe this week? Well, we have it for you! Click HERE to download a PDF! (It might take a tad longer than normal to download because it is a large document.) The agenda includes: An…
The New Mexico Farmers’ Marketing Association is excited to sponsor our 19th Annual Conference, which will be held March 10th and 11th in Santa Fe! The mandatory Double Up Food Bucks workshop will be held on March 9th. Register here by March 3rd! Break open your creative box and envision the possibilities for your farmer’s market, farm stand, farmers, and community! This…
Bernalillo County is committed to strengthening the local food economy by creating job opportunities, nurturing the next generation of farmers, and increasing the availability of locally grown food throughout the county. Grow The Growers (GTG) is a farm training and business incubator program created to attract new and emerging farmers into…
New Mexico Organic Certification Program – White Paper Prepared for the Thornburg Foundation January 2017 Executive Summary According to the New Mexico Department of Agriculture (NMDA), organic food sales in New Mexico are currently around $40 million per year and there are over 150 organic certified operations (farms, processors, handlers,…
Save the date for the 2017 New Mexico Farmers’ Marketing Association Annual Conference! This year’s conference will take place March 9th through 11th at Santa Fe Community College. Things kick off in the afternoon on Thursday, March 9th for the Double Up Food Bucks workshop. This workshop is mandatory for…
The New Mexico Tourism Department is proud to announce the launch of the New Mexico True Certified program, an initiative that will allow select New Mexico businesses to leverage the hugely popular New Mexico True brand to build their product’s recognition and amplify their existing marketing message. The New Mexico…
BY ALEXIA SEVERSON, LAS CRUCES SUN-NEWS PUBLISHED: JULY 13TH, 2016 “There’s always fruit in the fridge now and now I cook with fresh vegetables instead of buying them frozen,” Acosta-Lombino said. Acosta-Lombino said she tries to visit the farmers market in downtown Las Cruces to stock up on produce every Saturday. “If I…
BY CODY HOOKS FOR THE TAOS NEWS PUBLISHED: JULY 8TH, 2016 One of Taos’ greatest assets is its deep agricultural tradition. But organic, healthy, local food can sometimes be pricey, especially for low-income families on tight budgets and with limited time to shop around. A growing program, Double Up Food Bucks, empowers people on…
Two training and certification courses are being offered by New Mexico State University in Albuquerque! For additional information about either of the trainings email Gloria Hernandez. AUGUST 8th – 9th, 2016: Better Process Control School, Acidified Foods Only (English Course) This two-day course will be presented at the South Valley Economic…
The deadline to register for the 2016 Market Manager Conference is February 26th! The conference will be held March 11 and 12. REGISTER NOW to avoid a late fee. The conference is free for up to two representatives from each member market and for NMFMA board members. (But even if you owe…
By Denise Miller / For the Journal Published: Thursday, January 28, 2016 Since 2010, low-income New Mexicans have benefited from a powerful and growing program that addresses challenges of food access and improved nutrition all while stimulating market demand for locally grown produce – the Double Up Food Bucks…
Save the date for the 2016 Market Manager Conference! The conference will be held March 11th and 12th in Albuquerque at the Carpenters Union (the same great location as last year). Our theme for this year’s conference is “resilience,” and we look forward to exchanging ideas and information about what resilience means…
Yes, there are farmers’ markets that run during the winter in New Mexico! And you can find more than just local dried beans and chile powder at these markets. (But who doesn’t love dried beans and chile powder?) Many farmers continue to grow fresh greens in hoop houses, or provide…
The NMFMA has just released it’s annual food guide, LOCALLY GROWN. This handy booklet contains great information on what’s in season when, how to use and enjoy new varieties of fruits and vegetables, seasonal recipes, and why it’s so important to support your local growers. Get your free copy at…
Have you heard about the recent grasshopper invasion plaguing the Albuquerque area? Here’s some background from Joanie Quinn, Organic Advisor for NMDA “We have been getting calls all morning about a massive grasshopper invasion on the west side of Albuquerque, and also affecting the East Mountain area. People are reporting…
At the NMFMA we are all about local food and supporting our Farmers’ Markets; sometimes we like to take things even more local and do it at home, especially when the markets have closed and we are craving fresh food. I like to grow sprouts, especially alfalfa, because they are…
You may be wondering why we’re talking about tomatoes in the middle of November. I wrote this post a few weeks ago, but with the business of closing the “official” market season, I haven’t had any time to put it up! It was a great experience, so I wanted to…
Dehydrating onions using the string method Last month Denise wrote a bit about her routine for storing local produce for winter in our Albuquerque Journal column, and that got me thinking I should look into it a bit more. There are all sorts of reasons for me to learn food…
Like a squirrel hurrying to bury its nuts for the winter, I’ve been gathering the end of the season’s eggplants. You see, at the Belen Farmers’ Market, I met a great young farmer who said she only eats eggplant one way: as baba ganoush. I asked her how to make…
I consider myself a fairly adventurous eater. I’ll try anything once (or two, or three times), and every week at market I make a point to buy any vegetables I’ve never heard of. Still, there are some vegetables I really don’t know what to do with. Thanks to my Southern…
Market Profile: *Location: Santa Fe Place Mall parking lot, Rodeo & Zafarano *Hours: Tuesdays 3-6pm through September 24 *Number of vendors: 8-12 *Accepts: WIC & Senior FMNP checks, EBT/SNAP, Debit *Parking: Free Today I’m highlighting a market that, as a Santa Fe resident, I should have visited a long time…
The good folks at the Nob Hill Growers’ Market information table. Well, I’ll admit it’s been a little while since our last blog post. Market season is always a busy time for farmers’ markets, and sometimes we get so wrapped up in the work that we forget to tell you…
Beginning this May, Ramon Corona will be selling his farm fresh produce at the Monday Española Farmers’ Market, the Tuesday Santa Fe Farmers’ Market, the Thursday Los Alamos Farmers’ Market, and the Friday Eldorado Farmers’ Market. Whew, talk about a big debut! When he’s not at market, you bet he…
Okay, today I opened the jar of my first fermented kimchi. It hasn’t quite been two weeks (just 10 days), but curiosity has the best of me. How is it? Not bad, not amazing. It tastes like pickled cole slaw and carrots, but the aftertaste is pretty good. At first…
Recently I had to research radishes and find some new ways to enjoy them for my monthly Journal column. Luckily, I stumbled upon some recipes for kimchi, which took me back to my childhood friend, Helen Cho, and the ever-present jar of kimchi that her mother had available in the…
Folks who don’t regularly shop at farmers’ markets often wonder how the pricing compares to what they typically find at the grocery store. Though prices at farmers’ markets can vary greatly across the state (tomatoes, for example, may range anywhere from 50 cents to $4 per pound depending on location…
© 2020 The New Mexico Farmers' Marketing Association, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, supports New Mexico farmers, families and communities by providing public education, food access programs, technical assistance, and advocacy.