ECECD News:
SANTA FE — The National Farm to School Network will bring its annual National Farm to Cafeteria Conference to Albuquerque this year, spotlighting New Mexico’s leadership in providing children with local, healthy food in schools and early childhood settings.
The event will gather hundreds of advocates, educators, farmers and community leaders from across the country to promote local, nutritious food choices in schools and childcare centers. The conference is Dec. 1 through Dec. 4 at the Albuquerque Convention Center, 401 2nd St. NW.
The theme of the conference is “Rooted in Culture, Growing for the Future”. Early Childhood Education and Care Department (ECECD) staff will lead site visits highlighting how early childhood programs are adopting farm-to-school practices — from scratch-cooked meals to on-site gardens that introduce young children to fresh, nutritious ingredients.
“ECECD is proud to work alongside New Mexico growers to bring fresh, locally sourced foods into early childhood programs statewide. Introducing young children to nourishing ingredients early in life strengthens both their long-term health and our local food economy, while celebrating the cultures and traditions at the heart of our communities,” ECECD Secretary Elizabeth Groginsky said. “We look forward to welcoming national leaders to New Mexico and showcasing how we are building a food system that nourishes every child from the very beginning.”
“It’s an honor to have the National Farm to Cafeteria Conference held in New Mexico,” Health Secretary Gina DeBlassie said. “The conference highlights Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s food initiatives for New Mexico and includes programs on building a farm-to-school garden system and teaching farmers how to help support that system, which will benefit farmers and schools in the state and country.”
“We chose New Mexico as our host site because it stands as a national model for turning grassroots, community-led food justice efforts into real policy,” said Passion Rutledge, finance and operations director for the National Farm to School Network. “From Healthy Universal School Meals program to statewide local purchasing initiatives and deep partnerships with Tribal communities, the country has a lot to learn from the people of New Mexico.”
In 2022, Gov. Lujan Grisham launched the Food Initiative, a nation-leading whole-of-government commitment to supporting food security and economic resiliency for farmers and ranchers.
The conference features over 40 workshops, farm and school field trips, hands-on classes, and the presentation of the Golden Chile Awards, which celebrate excellence in farm-to-cafeteria work.
For more information about the event, including how to register, visit 10th National Farm to Cafeteria Conference.