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New Release: New Mexico Food, Agriculture and Fitness Policy Database
Post Date: October 9, 2008
Farm to Table is happy to announce the release of the NM Food and Fitness Policy Scan conducted by Farm to Table for the W. K. Kellogg Foundation. This investment by W. K. Kellogg Foundation represents their work towards a “future food system that provides all segments of society, especially those most vulnerable, with a safe and nutritious food supply, grown in a manner that protects health and the environment, and adds economic and social value to rural and urban communities.”
Over eighty non-profit and allied organizations that do policy work throughout New Mexico are included in this policy scan. Participating NGO’s and organizations represented policy work in the following domains: Food and Agriculture Systems, Health, Physical Fitness and Nutrition, Hunger and Poverty, Environment and Environmental Justice, Community and Economic Development, Asset Development, and Community and Transportation Planning. Even though most organizations in this policy scan might be unfamiliar with one another’s policy work or how their work is related to improving the food, farming and health systems of New Mexico, we saw this research project as an opportunity to “cross pollinate” our collective efforts across domains to improve comprehensive policy-making that would directly benefit the communities of New Mexico.
The document includes an introduction and preliminary analysis of the New Mexico policy environment which we hope will deepen a collective dialogue and inspire groups and individuals to become involved in the decision-making process at the local, regional, tribal, state wide and/or federal levels of governance. The policy scan is a great way to enter into the complex but accessible world of policy. We hope you enjoy making the connections between groups working on water quality and quantity issues, smart growth, farm land and greenbelt preservation, better nutrition for kids, sustainable economic development, closing the food gap, clean & affordable energy, fair political processes, living wage and affordable housing, farmers’ market development, walk-able and livable communities, leadership and advocacy development…and plenty more.
Given that Farm to Table’s mission is to help develop and promote understanding about the links among farming, food, health, environment and economic development, we saw this project as an opportunity to start a statewide dialogue among organizations working in diverse but related fields about those connections. More specifically, we were curious to learn about the policy work that various groups were doing, the policy strategies they employed, the natural synchronicities that might emerge, and how those connections might further cross-sector policy development and coalition-building around systemic issues. It also helped us develop a deeper understanding of the work being done that supports children, families, and communities as they strengthen and create conditions that help people achieve successes as individuals and as contributors to the larger community and society.
Farm to Table values partnerships and collaborative initiatives because in our experience, we recognize that these relationships are essential to developing a healthy, place-based, sustainable food system in New Mexico. Farm to Table is utilizing this database as a resource for building strategic partnerships that will enhance and strengthen our long term commitment towards creating a food and farming system that serves the diverse needs of New Mexican communities.
Other organizations may find this scan helpful in determining which future alliances may benefit their organizational missions and contributions to broad-based and deeper systemic change. Likewise, you may find this scan helpful in your quest to find others working on parallel initiatives in New Mexico that represent “a better future” for all.
Click here to download the NM Food and Fitness Policy Scan.
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