1000 Friends of New Mexico

Members’ Corner: Kelly B. Shows Us How to Find Organic Produce Close to Home

If it’s not obvious from our name, 1000 Friends of New Mexico is a member-based organization. We are committed to creating space for member-friends to engage, share ideas/news and learn together about ways we help create stronger, more vibrant communities.

In that vein, we share this contribution from new member, Kelly Blanchard of Albuquerque. The issue of food security in New Mexico is a critical piece of the sustainability puzzle that 1000 Friends promotes. A community’s well-being can be greatly enhanced with a locally available supply of food. Buying local food supports local farmers, reducing pressure to convert farmland to ‘McMansion’ subdivisions. The reduced trip from farm to table of local food means it’s a low carbon alternative to conventional foodstuffs and less vulnerable to cost fluctuations caused by crop failure or fuel prices. Kelly shares how easily you can join the local farm co-op, bringing healthy, fresh produce to your doorstep. You’ll also be helping revive the state’s local agricultural heritage.

This is my very first blog! I’m Kelly Blanchard. I sent an email to some friends about Los Poblanos Organic Farm Co-op and Gabe Nims at 1000 Friends of New Mexico was on the list. He thought some of you may want to know more about this neat opportunity to support local farming in our community.

My husband and I get an organic fruit and vegetable box every other week from the pick-up center at Carlisle and Indian School. Other pick-up centers may be closer to you, even for the East Mountains and Santa Fe. Albuquerque delivery is also available for around $5/box.

This is a great way to support local farming and to eat more fresh fruit and vegetables! We haven’t done this during the summer yet, and I bet the selection is going to be great! It costs $26 per box and we get one every other week, which is just right for the two of us. You can opt to get a box each week as well. If you purchase 10 weeks at a time you get a 5% discount.

You can also purchase ala carte items like organic milk, meat, bread and dairy products to pick up with your veggies. Technically, you could do all of your shopping online at the Los Poblanos website and avoid the corporate grocery stores completely. For what you get, it’s very comparable to Whole Foods prices, but the money stays right here in our community.

If you want to learn more, go to http://lospoblanosorganics.com/ or you can call them at 505-681-4060. You can sign up for the farm co-op online. Also check out the Work Share program. Work 2 1/2 hours per week at a North Valley Farm and you get your fruit and vegetable box for half price.

Rural Cooperatives, a publication of the USDA, featured a story in its May/June 2005 issue about one farm cooperative in Northern New Mexico. To learn more about local food systems in New Mexico, visit Farm to Table.

-posted with permission from Kelly Blanchard.

Posted on May 13, 2008 at 2:42 pm and filed under Members Corner