Go directly to: FAQ l Resources l Local Food Glossary   

You just can't beat the taste of fresh New Mexico cherries.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why should I eat locally grown foods?

1. Taste. Local foods taste better because they are picked at the peak of ripeness and sold to you generally within a day.  In comparison, non-local foods travel 1,500 miles on average, which means they often ripened in a box rather than on the vine. 
2. Connection.  Eating local connects you to the seasons, and it also connects you to the people who grow your food.
3. Safety. If you are concerned about food safety issues, buying local can help alleviate some of your fears, especially when you buy direct from the farmer.  Most farmers enjoy telling you about their farm and farming methods, and some even offer tours. 
4. Preservation.  Do you value our agricultural green spaces and traditions?  It may seem simple, but purchasing local food means more money goes directly to our farmers, ensuring the preservation of agricultural lands and traditions. 
5. Fun. Make it a family tradition to go to the farmers market each week, visit a u-pick apple orchard, or plant your own vegetable garden.  No matter how you approach eating locally, you are sure to have a good time.

Where can I find locally grown foods or value-added products? 
One of the best places to find local foods is at a farmers market, as you can meet the people who grow your food.  Joining a community supported agriculture (CSA) program is another great way to eat local, as you will receive a box of produce and other goods each week during the growing season. If you are looking for local foods in retail groceries or at restaurants, check out our Local Food Maps.  And don't forget- you can also find local food in your own yard or at a community garden.  Learn more about growing your own food here.

What crops are available seasonally in our region?
When you make the switch to eating local, you also switch to eating what is seasonally available.  For a listing of seasonal foods in our region, check out the Harvest Calendar from the New Mexico Farmers Marketing Association.

What is this vegetable, and how do I cook it?
When you start eating local foods, you may ask yourself this question from time to time.  Don't worry- some of these foreign local foods will soon be your new weekly favorites.  If you need a recipe, ask the farmer you bought the item from, or look around online or in a farmers market style cookbook.

Resources Listing

Local CSA's

Erda Gardens  

Los Poblanos Organics

East Mountain Organics

Other Local Resources

New Mexico Farmers Marketing Association
Find a listing of farmers markets in New Mexico, as well as tips for getting the most out of your market visit.

Local Food Maps
These online maps by the MRCOG Agriculture Collaborative will help you eat, buy, and grow local foods.

Slow Food
An international organization promoting "slow" artisanal and regional foods, not "fast" industrial foods.  Be sure to check out our regional Slow Food chapter for central New Mexico.

National Resources

Local Harvest
Find local food and farms in New Mexico, or browse what is available across the nation.

Food Routes
Learn about their Buy Fresh Buy Local program.

American Farmland Trust
Learn about their No Farms No Food program.

The 100 Mile Diet
Learn about the benefits of eating closer to home.