City of Albuquerque Helps Local Growers and Food Producers Adapt During Challenging Times

April 21, 2020

Local farms and food producers are among businesses being threatened by the COVID-19 pandemic at a critical time when those faced with budget constraints are looking for healthy, affordable food. Today Mayor Tim Keller and the Cultural Services Department announced ways to access locally grown and sourced food while recognizing food as a cultural connection.

"Making sure families of all income levels can access healthy food is always important, and has been more challenging during coronavirus. This partnership helps pair families with our local growers, who are a key part of our economy," said Mayor Tim Keller. "We appreciate the farmers markets for working with us on these solutions to help families get fresh food on the table safely and affordably."

The Rail Yards Market begins "Farm to Car" on Sunday, May 3. People will be able to pre-order from their favorite food and farm vendors online and orders will be prepared with the utmost attention to safety. For pick-up, simply drive (or bike) up, show your receipt, phone or name, pop your trunk, and the markets friendly staff will place your order right in your car (or basket). "Farm to Car" will take place on Sundays until further notice. Visit http://railyardsmarket.org/ for more information.

The Downtown Grower's Market is offering pre-orders from multiple vendors and pickup on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. until further notice in the Fusion Theatre parking lot located at 708 1st St. NW. This arrangement connects community and local growers while supporting physical distancing. Visit http://www.downtowngrowers.org/ for pre-ordering instructions. Vendors will be updated weekly.

Both the Rail Yards Market and Downtown Grower's Market participate in the Double Up Food Bucks Program through EBT/SNAP so the most vulnerable families can get fresh healthy food, and  their SNAP go twice as far.

"Food, place, and culture are fundamentally connected. They inform and shape each other and all of us as individuals," explains Dr. Shelle Sanchez, director of Cultural Services. "Food often becomes an act of creative and cultural expression as made evident on Instagram through shared photos of beautiful culinary creations."

Other local culinary vendors offering safe shopping:

New Mexico Ferments offers online pre-orders and curbside pick up of Kombucha, Planty Sweet bundt cakes, BlueFly Farm's sparkling waters, and other select items from local vendors. They are also offering weekly delivery in the Albuquerque area of pre-orders for those who are sick and/or do not feel comfortable leaving their homes at this time. https://www.newmexicoferments.com/

Silver Leaf Farms has new offerings of bread, cheese, meats, jam, and coffee from various vendors. Pre-orders can be made at https://www.eatsilverleaf.com/ and picked up at the farm stand at 125 Old Church Rd. in Corrales.

Skarsgard Farms - https://skarsgardfarms.deliverybizpro.com/ - is taking pre-orders for delivery of products from local and regional growers and food producers.

Other Community Supported Agriculture in Albuquerque include Red Tractor Farm and La Cosecha.

Visitalbuquerque.org has an extensive listing and map of restaurants in Albuquerque that remain open for take-out and delivery.