A client shops at Casita de Comida, The Food Depot’s no-cost market. Courtesy/Food Depot 

The Food Depot News:

ALBUQUERQUE —The Food Depot announced that it recently received an $11,000 grant from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico’s Blue ImpactSM initiative.

The grant will support The Food Depot’s Core Hunger Relief Programming, which increases access to healthy food and basic resources across nine counties of Northern New Mexico. 

“For many years, BCBSNM has supported our vision of healthy, hunger-free communities,” The Food DepotExecutive Director Sherry Hooper said. “This most recent gift will support the critical work of our partner agencies and programs.” 

The Food Depot’s hunger-relief network increases access to healthy food for 40,000 individuals experiencing food insecurity across nine Northern New Mexico counties. Funds from the Blue Impact Grant will be used to purchase fresh produce, dairy, protein and pantry staples. Hunger-relief programs include a no-cost market in Española, mobile food pantries, school-based pantries and support more than 70 independent nonprofit partner agencies. 

BCBSNM’s Blue Impact grant initiative is part of an ongoing commitment to invest in and collaborate with community organizations that offer sustainable, measurable programs that address the social and economic factors impacting health and wellness in our state. The Food Depot’s commitment to food security aligns with the vision of Blue Impact to improve health outcomes in communities across New Mexico.

“Supporting our community members experiencing food insecurity is a key priority of BCBSNM,” BCBSNM President Janice Torrez said. “By providing no-cost, healthy food to individuals and families in Northern New Mexico, The Food Depot is helping to directly support people in need and minimizing the impact of hunger in our state.”