County senior program receives Golden Chile Award

RIO RANCHO — Sandoval County’s Senior Program has earned the Golden Chile Award from New Mexico Grown for its innovative Senior Center food programming.

This top award honors a program that is mature and fruitful, according to New Mexico Grown. It recognizes the partnership and commitment to improving access to New Mexico Grown foods for all New Mexicans.

The awards ceremony was held on Oct. 24 at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center in Albuquerque.

“Sandoval County is honored again to receive the Golden Chile Award from New Mexico Grown. It represents the hard work performed year-round by our Senior Community staff to ensure that our seniors have the best food and nutrition possible,” said Jayme Espinoza, director of community services. “Partnering with New Mexico Grown benefits our Senior Program and New Mexico, as their products come solely from our state. We contract with more than 30 ranchers and farmers such as C4 Farms in Tierra Amarilla for beef products to farmers in the south from Dona Ana County for fruits and vegetables. It is a win-win for everyone involved, and we look forward to supporting this growing effort.”

The Golden Chile Award Program is managed and organized by the New Mexico Grown Coalition, a network of public institutions, community-based organizations and individuals working to strengthen community food systems across New Mexico.

For more information about New Mexico Grown and the Golden Chile Awards, visit newmexicogrown.org.