Applications open for food producers

The New Mexico Farmers’ Marketing Association has opened its annual applications for the New Mexico Grown Approved Supplier Program for farmers, ranchers, food hubs, and distributors across the state.

According to a news release from the NMFMA, the Approved Supplier Program is a food quality assurance program that supports New Mexico Grown, a values-based local food purchasing program that provides “fresh, locally produced” food for New Mexico school-age children, older adults, and families.

Approved vendors will be eligible to sell to state institutions and food bank buyers who receive special funding for local food purchases.

The release notes no producer is too small, and fair market prices are a hallmark of the program that “provides a multi-million-dollar market opportunity for local food producers.” Technical assistance and support is available throughout the process.

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and generally take about 45 days to process.

This year, the NMFMA invested in a new application portal that makes it easy for applicants to submit applications.

Previous Approved Supplier Program applicants must submit a new application.

The release encourages those interested in registering to do so at https://nmfma.my.site.com/s/login/.

More program information can be found at https://newmexicogrown.org/, or submit questions to: [email protected]