Santa Fe Standard

The New Mexico Grown Coalition, in collaboration with the New Mexico Food & Agriculture Policy Council and Farm to Table NM, is set to host the inaugural in-person Golden Chile Awards ceremony. This event will coincide with Food & Farms Day and is scheduled for October 24 at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center in Albuquerque.

The ceremony aims to honor individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to connecting children and seniors with locally grown food. A total of 66 recipients will receive Golden Chile awards, while five others will be recognized for their efforts in farming, conservation, farmer’s markets, and sustainable food systems.

Kendal Chavez from the Office of Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham extended congratulations: “Congratulations to all the awardees for investing in the health of our children and families, and the economic vitality of our farmers and ranchers.”

Representatives from various state departments are expected to attend this invitation-only event. The program includes a tour of the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center’s Entrepreneurial Complex followed by a reception.

The Golden Chile Awards Program was established by the New Mexico Grown Coalition as part of its mission to support local food production. The awards are categorized into four tiers: Seed, Sprout, Blossom, and Golden Chile. This year saw 15 organizations achieving top honors for meeting all criteria of the NM Grown Program.

Additionally, 18 school districts will be acknowledged for their efforts in serving locally grown food to students alongside healthy eating education initiatives. Fourteen senior centers across multiple counties will also be recognized for integrating New Mexico Grown food into their meal programs.

This initiative underscores a broader effort by NMHealth's Healthy Kids Healthy Communities Program in partnership with other departments like Early Childhood Education & Care Department (ECECD) to enhance access to nutritious foods across educational institutions.

Awards under different categories such as Good Food for New Mexico Award were given out during this year's event:

- Silver City Farmers’ Market received recognition.

- Casey Holland from Chispas Farm earned the Growing the Future Award.

- Bryce Townsend from Black Mesa Farm was honored with Heart of the Land Award.

- Melanie Kirby from Zia Queenbees Farm & Field Institute received Living Land Award.

- The Sowing Change Award went to New Mexico Public Education Department.

For more information regarding this press release or related queries, David Barre can be contacted at (505) 699-9237.