City Simplifies Permitting Process Ahead of Busy Grower’s Market Season

April 4, 2022

The City of Albuquerque’s Environmental Health Department announced a change to their food inspection permit process ahead of the grower’s market season. For the 2022 Grower’s market season, vendors will only have to pay a one-time $50 permit fee to participate in farmer’s markets. This permit will be valid for any market at any point this season. Without this change, vendors would be expected to pay permit fees for every market session during the season.

“Albuquerque Grower’s Markets appreciate anything the City can do to make the process to participate more easily accessible to farmers and vendors while also keeping customers safe,” said Danielle Schlobohm, Associate Director of DowntownABQ MainStreet and Arts & Cultural District. “Grower’s Markets work to support micro-businesses while bringing food directly to Albuquerque residents. The simpler the City can make this process for hard working growers and entrepreneurs the more growth we will see in our local economy and in our local food systems.”

Grower’s Markets are community-driven and contribute to Albuquerque’s local economy. Buying local and fresh products is a sustainable measure that also helps to resolve food insecurity.

“By localizing where our food is grown and transported, we are reducing our carbon footprint while supporting New Mexico’s local farmers and ranchers who play an important role as stewards of the land,” said Sustainability Officer, Kelsey Rader.

Growers can find the permit application here: https://www.cabq.gov/environmentalhealth/food-safety/special-event-vendor/special-event-vendor. This change aligns with the Keller administration’s commitment to supporting local food and agriculture including:

• Launched the Buy Local Initiative and doubled spending on local vendors between fiscal years 19 and 21 with up to $3 million spent;
• Cultivated approximately 700 pounds of produce during the 2021 growing season at the Bio Park Heritage Farm to support animal diets;
• Secured $300,000 in state capital outlay funds for community gardens;
• Conducted biannual green waste pick up and Treecycling events and diverting over 14,000 tons of green waste from the landfill, and;
• Developed new food and organic waste policy strategies in 2021 Albuquerque Climate Action Plan.