New Mexico Grown Golden Chile Awards designed to celebrate the hard work of all nutrition providers
Bernalillo, NM, September 20, 2023 — Sandoval County’s Senior Program has earned the Blossom Chile Award from New Mexico Grown in recognition of its innovative Senior Center food programming. This top award, received today, honors a program that is reaching maturity according to New Mexico Grown, and recognizes the partnership and commitment to improving access to New Mexico Grown foods.
Regarding the award, Community Services Director Jayme Espinoza shared, “Our Senior Program staff strives to provide the best food by partnering with farmers and ranchers across the state in purchasing locally grown and raised food in all of our senior/community centers, in Sandoval County. This innovative program provides meats, vegetables, and fruits from right here in our state that promote healthy living for our community and the sustainability of our state’s economy. We are proud to be a part of this program and couldn’t do it without our amazing Senior Program staff.”
The Golden Chile Award Program is managed and organized by the NM Grown Coalition, a network of public institutions, community-based organizations, and individuals working together to strengthen community food systems across New Mexico. Golden Chile Award levels include Golden Chile, Blossom, Sprout, and Seed. Applicant programs are evaluated in the following categories and must have at least one or more of the five core areas below:
• NM Grown Items Available on Menus
• NM Grown Cafeteria Promotions and Culturally Aligned Materials
• Edible Gardens and Outdoor Environments
• NM Grown Eaters’ Choice Activities
• Sustainability of the NM Grown Program
For more information about New Mexico Grown and the Golden Chile Awards, please visit https://www.nmhealth.org.
The Sandoval County Senior Program has earned the NEW MEXICO GROWN BLOSSOM CHILE AWARD which recognizes innovative Senior Center food programming. Pictured here are (from right) Sandoval County Community Services Director Jayme Espinoza, Community Services Manager, Senior Program, Desi Aragon, and Assistant Director of Community Services Janice Mortensen.