Apply now for the Golden Chile Awards
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Health (NMHealth) invites all participants of New Mexico Grown, a program that works with local farmers, ranchers, and food businesses, to apply for the Golden Chile Awards. Awards are given for a variety of activities such as establishing edible gardens, serving locally grown food in meals and snacks, providing gardening lessons and nutrition education, offering culturally appropriate lessons, and engaging staff, families and/or communities in NM Grown programming. Last year, state officials and the NM Grown coalition recognized 67 participants.
“New Mexico Grown is an important program that nourishes New Mexico school-age children, older adults, and families with fresh, locally produced food,” said Secretary Patrick Allen for NMHealth. “We are proud to be able to recognize the great work of the local farmers, ranchers, food producers, food hubs, state agencies, and food banks that participate in the program.”
Applications are open through May 31 for the 4th annual awards recognition program that honors institutions and growers for connecting students and seniors statewide to locally grown food. This year’s award applications can be found at the following links:
Food Producer Application (for Farmers and Ranchers)
Early Care and Education Application
The Golden Chile Awards are open to all local farmers, food hubs and food producers who participate in the NM Grown program as well as schools, preschools and senior centers that serve locally grown food in their nutrition programs.
The NM Grown Coalition, a network of public institutions, community-based organizations and individuals working together to strengthen community food systems across New Mexico, will announce winners in August and host an in-person ceremony Oct. 24.
For more information about NM Grown, visit newmexicogrown.org. For questions about applications, contact Gabriel.Gaarden@doh.nm.gov .