How to build better border food security in NM - Liberal foundations project in Southern NM

Sprouting up in the Rio Grande Valley, a new organization seeks to reshape the production, distribution and consumption of food. Called La Semilla Food Center, the New Mexico-based project intends not only to grow and sell organic food, but also expose youth to new careers, inspire value-added industries, get locally-grown produce into large institutions, spin-off small businesses, and encourage nutritional awareness. "Whether its schools, hospitals or nursing homes interested in buying foods," said Aaron Sharratt, executive director of La Semilla Food Center. Based in Dona Ana County in New Mexico’s southern border region with Texas and Chihuahua, Mexico, La Semilla Food Center was launched this year with a three-year, $432,000 Kellogg Foundation grant. For La Semilla, the regional food shed stretches from the northern end of Dona Ana County to the rural area south of El Paso, Texas. If neighboring Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, is taken into account, the population potentially served by a Paso del Norte food shed surpasses more than two million people. Off the farm and away from the store shelf, La Semilla hopes to influence the local food system by assisting in the formation of a food policy council that brings together community organizations and government agencies. Across the US and Canada, food policy councils address issues like the nutritional value of food served in public schools. A new food policy council could even consider enacting "junk-food free zones"' around schools, said Rebecca Wiggins, La Semilla's farm fresh director. "You can't sell cigarettes or alcohol, so why should you be able to sell junk food?"” Wiggins asked...more