local food sources ...
Taking Challenges and Turning them into Opportunities.
Contact us today with your ideas or suggestions.
We are so fortunate to have a thriving local food community with support from many organizations and businesses. Looking for some fresh, nutritious, home grown food or drink? We have some suggestions for you......
growers markets....
Luckily, our grower markets are spread out all over the city and one will be near you ...maybe even close enough to bike or walk. Hours/days also vary so you may be able to shop at more than one a week or pick your favorite time. (Some start a little early for us and we miss out on the best specimens). Try designing your menus around what is "in season" and be rewarded with good health.
New Mexico Farmers Market provides lots of information.
Community Farms ...
Skarsgard Farms Now cultivating 40 acres in ABQ’s South Valley and able to feed 1,700 families weekly. "So I celebrate (and am thankful for) my family’s 100 years of work in the fields. I think that the old saying that “we stand on the shoulders of giants” has never rung more true for me than it does right now. With that, I feel that we cannot strive towards a bountiful future, without honoring the work of farmers in the past. And my family’s farm story serves as a reminder that, for me, the passion for the local food movement is not a newfangled thing, but truly was “Seeded in 1912.”
Rio Grande Community Farm - Los Poblanos Fields is 138 acres of historic farmland located in Albuquerque's North Valley. The farmland was purchased with the support of the taxpayers of the City of Albuquerque and the volunteer hours of many hard working citizens. Many of their food crops are distributed to local organizations that provide supplemental food services. They also market their crops at local Farmers Markets. The 1-acre Community Garden has individual plots so anyone can grow their own personal garden. They recently completed their new "irrigation box" that efficiently provides water to their garden....See their You-Tube video.
Dragon Farm bills itself as the newest and coolest pesticide-free farm and is located at 3426 Blake Rd SW at the South Valley Academy (one block EAST of Coors). Beginning in June, you can buy produce at the farm from 4-6pm every Friday. You can also find their "cool" produce at Robinson Park and Nob Hill Growers Markets. 
Beneficial Farms CSA provides affordable weekly shares of healthy and hearty, regionally-grown food to members for the entire year. We are a collaborative CSA with over 40 farms in New Mexico and beyond.
More options....
We have several local businesses and organizations that are supporting our growers and we need to support their efforts.
La Montañita Coop is currently selling about 20% local produce and would be interested in selling more. La Montañita Coop has two stores in Albuquerque and has a excellent selection of organic produce and products. Whole Foods Market also has a goal of providing more local produce.
The New Mexico Wine Festival at Bernalillo, the 
biggest and oldest NM wine festival, is held annually on Labor Day Weekend. It features live entertainment, food, high quality arts & crafts and 20 or more New Mexico wineries. This year the Rail Runner provided a convenient way of traveling to the festival. We have so many wonderful local wineries that a tour with relatives could be the best way to see the Land of Enchantment. If beer is more your style, try one of our state microbreweries.
There are several terrific restaurants that buy directly from local farmers and 
incorporate "in season" fresh tastes in their menus, including: Seasons (Old Town), Slate Street Cafe , Gold Street Cafe, Zinc Bistro (Downtown), Artichoke Cafe and many more.
While not a restaurante, my favorite bread(s) are from our very own local FANO BREAD CO (available at most local stores). If you are not listed and have locally grown or processed foods, be sure to visit and submit a listing....it's free! It would be great to have a comprehensive list to know what to ask for when we are at our favorite store or restaurant.
Thinking about a unique New Mexico food product? The South Valley Economic Development Center is a 17,000SF facility that incorporates a small business "incubator" and commercial kitchen. South Valley residents are now able to obtain the center's help in starting or expanding their businesses.
ways to make a difference ...
1) Buy local produce as often as possible; ask your favorite restaurants and stores if they have any local produce on the menu or on the shelves.
2) Join a community garden or grow your own garden in your backyard, share with neighbors and encourage others to do so as well. Form a Sustainability Committee at your neighborhood association to promote gardening and sharing.
3) Mulch leaves, table scaps and green wastes to make a rich compost that will enhance your soil.
PLEASE be a part of the solution. mysuggestions@sustainableabq
