Our Grandparents Raising Grandchildren (GRG) program recently received an invitation to participate in New Mexico Aging and Long-Term Services Department pilot New Mexico Grown Fruits and Vegetables for Senior Meals Program. Produce from local producers such as the Santa Fe Farmer’s Market and Khalsa Farms is being given to our GRG program to distribute to the families of grandparents caring for their grandchildren.
The impact of this program is felt deeply. Fresh deliveries have been a lifeline, providing nutrition and a touch of warmth to those who often give everything to care for their grandchildren. With the possibility of ongoing availability and another infusion of funds, we anticipate the project will make baskets of farm-fresh produce available well into the winter months. For families, these baskets are more than just food; they are reminders that they are seen, valued, and cared for. More than 100 bags of groceries have been distributed to date for those grandparents who signed up for the produce.
Program Manager Wendy Croze praised the coordination of the two farm vendors who make the process easy for grandparents. In Santa Fe, grandparents simpy drive to the farm and a market coordinator hands them a Community Supported Agricuture (CSA) produce bag. At Khalsa Farms, grandparents are able to hand select from vegetables picked from the ground that same morning.
One recent recipient who picks up fresh vegetable at Khalsa Farms in Espanola exclaimed: “Really appreciate your efforts so that we can get some wonderful fresh produce. I will be making chicken vegetable soup. And fried green tomato toes to snack on when we watch the movie 'Fried Green Tomatoes'. A family tradition for years.”
NM Aging and Long-Term Non-Metro Area on Agency Department is a primary funder for Las Cumbres’ GRG programming across three counties, Santa Fe, Rio Arriba, and Taos including the more rural region of Penasco.