Eighteen agribusinesses in New Mexico will receive a total of $3.54 million through a federal grant program aimed at improving the state's local food supply chain. The funding, secured in partnership with the New Mexico Department of Agriculture, comes from the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure (RFSI) competitive grant program.
The RFSI initiative is intended to strengthen what officials describe as the "middle of the supply chain" by supporting projects that increase processing, aggregation, and distribution capacity for locally produced foods. The funds will support construction efforts, equipment purchases, and facility expansions to help diversify value-added products.
Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham said, “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.”
Among those receiving grants are 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.”
Frontier Food Hub—a program operated by the National Center for Frontier Communities—plans to use its grant funds to purchase two mobile cold storage units for use in Lordsburg, Deming, and Catron County. This move aims to extend product shelf life while increasing access to programs such as Fresh RX and farm-to-school initiatives. It also seeks to create new opportunities for growers located in rural parts of the state.
La Mesa Organic Farms intends to upgrade its mobile kitchen and processing equipment so it can boost production of heritage apple cider and blue corn products. The upgrades are expected to allow participation in more regional farmers markets while preserving traditional local foodways.
Statewide Products Company Inc., a woman-owned distributor based in New Mexico, will expand its reach into underserved rural areas by upgrading equipment, adding customer ordering software tools, and acquiring delivery vehicles with lower emissions. These steps are designed to make it easier for them to transport goods like chile peppers, salsa, and jams made within the state.
