2026-2027 (FY2027) New Mexico Grown Approved Supplier Program Application for Producers and Vendors 

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Page 1 - Welcome / Introduction

Welcome to the 2026-2027 New Mexico Grown Approved Supplier Program Application!
Introduction
About the New Mexico Grown Program:
The New Mexico Grown program (NM Grown) helps schools, early childhood education providers, senior centers, food banks, and other public institutions purchase food grown and raised in New Mexico for their meal programs. Through dedicated state funding and partnerships with New Mexico’s Public Education Department (PED), Early Childhood Education and Care Department (ECECD), Aging and Long-Term Services Department (ALTSD), the Office of Indian Elder Affairs (OIEA), and the New Mexico Food Bank Association, community institutions across the state receive annual funding to buy locally produced food. This program helps create reliable markets for New Mexico farmers, ranchers, and food producers while ensuring that communities have access to fresh, locally grown food.
What is the Approved Supplier Program?
The Approved Supplier Program (ASP) is designed to grow and diversify the base of NM producers accessing wholesale markets and serves as the dedicated pathway for farmers, ranchers, and food hubs seeking to sell products through the NM Grown Program. Administered through the New Mexico Farmers’ Marketing Association (NMFMA), the mission of the ASP is to build a shared culture of food safety both on-farm and throughout the local food value chain. The ASP strives to:
  • Expand market opportunities for New Mexico producers
  • Ensure that food sold to institutions is safe and traceable
  • Support producers in documenting and strengthening food safety practices
  • Maintain fair and consistent standards across all suppliers
The program recognizes that New Mexico farms and ranches vary in size, scale, infrastructure, and production methods. Therefore, the ASP standards align with realistic food safety practices that work for small and diversified operations.  The ASP supports producers and buyers alike. The program provides an alternate process for producers traditionally marginalized by the intimidating and expensive process of third party certification to assure food safety and product quality. It provides an inclusive and accessible way for producers to sell to public institutions, simplifies the vendor approval process for NM Grown buyers, and streamlines procurement processes across partner state agencies.
Becoming an Approved Supplier: What to Expect!
New Mexico Grown roadmap infographic


All NM Grown Suppliers must be part of the Approved Supplier Program. The ASP approval process is intended to support producers and vendors in achieving their food safety goals and encouraging continuous improvement. To complete the application producers and vendors will: 

  • Provide operational information about their farm, ranch or food business (food hubs, seasonal farm box programs, or regional distributors)

  • Describe production and food safety practices

  • Submit documentation to demonstrate alignment with the ASP standards 

  • Develop a profile to support values-aligned marketing for buyers

  • List the products they plan to sell through NM Grown

  • Review program requirements and sign self-attestations

Once submitted, applications are reviewed by the NM Grown ASP review team, which is a community-based network of food safety experts— farmers, state agency partners, and the NMFMA’s staff. This review helps ensure that program requirements are applied consistently and fairly for all suppliers. The approval process is collaborative relying on active producer engagement with the ASP review team and typically takes about 45 days. The NMFMA ASP staff are available to help answer questions and support producers throughout the application process. The process includes:

  1. Application is submitted by the producer or vendor. The application must be complete with all supporting documentation uploaded.

  2. Application and supporting documentation are screened. If information is out-of-date or incomplete you will receive notice from the NMFMA staff for next steps.

  3. Review team is assigned. You will receive a notification once your application has been assigned to a review team.

  4. Desk review and Interview. Your information will be thoroughly reviewed. You may receive an email/call requesting an interview to gather more information.

  5. Receive an Approval Letter. Your marketing information will be made available to hundreds of NM Grown Buyers looking to purchase local foods through the public-facing NM Grown Approved Supplier List!

New Suppliers will have a site visit from the ASP team during harvest season to learn more about their operation and NM Grown marketing goals. Returning suppliers will complete an annual renewal each spring to confirm that their documentation and food safety practices remain current. Returning Suppliers can request site visits for additional technical assistance for building strong purchasing relationships with institutional buyers. The NMFMA ASP staff are available to help answer questions and provide the one-on-one technical assistance needed throughout the entire approval process to become an NM Grown Approved Supplier.

Food Safety Training
Using sound and safe food safety practices ensures that the foods that move through the New Mexico Grown Program are safe for community members to consume, so Food Safety Training is a requirement for Produce+ Producers seeking to become Approved Suppliers. We have lots of options for taking food safety courses!
We Accept Applications From the Following Supplier Types:

Produce+ Producer: A Produce+ Producer is an individual farmer selling NM Grown Produce+ products (fruits, vegetables, legumes, grains) that they grow on their own farm, or an individual farmer who participates in a farming cooperative that shares Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and markets as a single Produce+ entity. All Produce+ aggregators who do not grow, process and/or market their own products, or who wish to resell meat, will apply as Food Hubs, regardless of scale or 3rd party certification status.


Meat Producer: A Meat Producer is an individual rancher selling NM Grown meat products that are raised in their own operation or an individual rancher who participates in a ranching cooperative that shares SOPs and markets as a single entity. Aggregators such as USDA Inspected Meat Processing Facilities may also apply and will be listed as processors. Food Hub vendors will provide the necessary information required to act as a Meat Reseller within their application.

Produce+ Producers and Meat Producers may also apply to operate as a Core Producer*. Core Producers are individual Produce+ or Meat Producers, who ALSO resell and distribute NM Grown Allowable Products sourced from other NM Grown ASP Producers who are the same supplier type.

All Meat aggregators who do not produce and market their own products, or who wish to resell Produce+ products will apply as Food Hubs, regardless of scale or 3rd party certification status.  

*To apply as a Core Producer, you will just answer additional questions within the application. Additional uploads are required.

Food Hub Vendor: An entity that sells/markets a variety of Produce+ and Meat products, such as a food hub, a seasonal farm box program, or a regional distributor. As an intermediary market they may purchase products from local producers and engage in comingling of product, re-packaging, storing, minimally processing, and/or distribution/transportation of products.

Program Requirements and Documents
To review the Program Requirements by vendor type, please visit the NewMexicoGrown.org website. Included on this page are the documents required with your application, approval minimum standards and restricted activities. Please review this information prior to completing your application.
Our Team is Here to Help!
For Help with Applications
For questions related to ASP Applications, please reach out to our ASP Systems Manager, Emma Dewey: emma@farmersmarketsnm.org

For general ASP inquiries, please reach out to our team at ASP@farmersmarketsnm.org or 505-221-6535.
For Additional Assistance
For questions related to Food Safety Training, please reach out to our Food Safety Manager, Kevin Beltran: kevin@farmersmarketsnm.org

For questions related to Value Chain Coordination or Procurement, please reach out to our Value Chain Coordinator, Shana Woodworth: shana@farmersmarketsnm.org

For questions related to Policy, Partnerships and Strategy, please reach out to our ASP Director, Alena Paisano: alena@farmersmarketsnm.org

Page 2 - General Information

New or Returning?


Developer Note from Scott
This "Run File Update" has to do with custom development work conducted by Agile Cloud Consulting in early 2025 to fix something with file permissions in Salesforce.

Supplier Type:

Most applicants will choose one of these application types, but if you're an individual producer who produces both meat and produce, please select both Produce+ and Meat Producer. If you are a USDA Meat Processor, please choose Meat Vendor. Food Hubs do not need to complete a Meat Vendor application if you are selling meat.




Please enter the primary email address for the business. For returning participants, this should be the same email address as prior applications.



USDA Definition of "Socially Disadvantaged Farmer, Rancher or Agricultural Producer": https://lrftool.sc.egov.usda.gov/SDFP_Definition.aspx
 DISCLAIMER: We are asking for this information because it is is important for accessing funding for producers in NM. The data will be aggregated and not include individual producer information. The NMFMA does not agree with the USDA language of "Socially Disadvantaged Producer," and we DO NOT include this publicly when publishing the Approved Supplier List.

Native American Owned or Operated

The Intertribal Agriculture Council (IAC) certifies the use of the Made/Produced by American Indians trademark as a means to successfully and clearly identify products made by American Indian and Alaska Native tribal members or majority owned enterprises. The trademark was created to protect Indian producers and consumers from fake and falsely advertised Indian-made products. Buyers may require documentation to confirm that suppliers meet this preference eligibility criteria during the bidding process.




Additional Business Contacts:
Food Safety Manager




Sales/Marketing Information


[NOTE: This should be the person the buyers will reach out to for orders, payments, etc.]


Farm or Operation Location
This is your operation's primary physical location.


Apartment, suite, etc.


Two-letter abbreviation


Business Mailing Address
If your operation has a separate address where you conduct business or get your mail, please indicate here. This may be a P.O. Box if applicable.

[NOTE: This should be the person the buyers will reach out to for orders, payments, etc.]





Communication Preference

Check all that apply
Tell Us What's Wonderful About Your Operation!


Page 3 - Produce+ Questions:

Multiple Farm Sites


You will need to label and include each farming site in your farm map upload.
Farm Details










Farm Infrastructure
The following questions pertain to infrastructure on your farm. Please answer the questions here and also ensure that these topics are addressed within your Risk Assessment or Food Safety Plan. 





Farm Food Safety Training

If you have not yet taken a food safety training, please contact NMFMA before completing your application.

If it has been more than two years since your last training, it is highly encouraged that you attend a new training to catch up on any new requirements.
Food Safety Questions

Changes must be reflected in your updated Risk Assessment or Food Safety Plan and your Farm Map if applicable.

We will review your previous application records to ensure that any recommendations and/or corrective actions from the ASP Review Team have been addressed.
Core Producer Sourcing Questions

If you are sourcing and reselling products from other NM Grown Suppliers, you must complete and upload the ASP Source Producer Form and SOPs detailing your processes for receiving, storing, and distributing/transporting products.

Page 4 - Meat Vendor Application Questions

Meat Operations


(i.e. Vendor History, Description; Marketing language, etc.)

Frozen meat must stay frozen. Fresh meat must be stored and transported at <41.

Core Producer Sourcing Questions

If you are sourcing and reselling products from other NM Grown Suppliers, you must complete and upload the ASP Source Producer Form and SOPs detailing your processes for receiving, storing, and distributing/transporting products.

Page 5 - Food Hub Application:

Food Hub Details




USDA Definition of "Socially Disadvantaged Farmer, Rancher or Agricultural Producer": https://lrftool.sc.egov.usda.gov/SDFP_Definition.aspx
 DISCLAIMER: We are asking for this information because it is is important for accessing funding for producers in NM. The data will be aggregated and not include individual producer information. The NMFMA does not agree with the USDA language of "Socially Disadvantaged Producer," and we DO NOT include this publicly when publishing the Approved Supplier List.




Food Hub Aggregation Questions:



Page 6 - New Product Selection Screen

Product Categories Defined:

Unprocessed/Natural Foods:

Fresh, whole Produce+ foods sold in their raw state (unpeeled or unprocessed). Products may undergo minimal post-harvest handling like field cooling, initial trimming or washing.


Minimally Processed Foods: Whole Produce+ foods that are slightly altered for safety, convenience, or preservation (without adding salt, sugar, fats, oils or other ingredients).

  • Allowable On-Farm processing: Products that are: hulled/winnowed, de-cobbed, sundried whole. 
  • Permitted Facility processing: Products that are freeze-dried whole, frozen whole, dehydrated whole or ground. 
  • Cultural Food Product Exemption: Initial processing activities may occur on-farm (roasting, steaming, sundrying); cooking, cooling, grinding (small batch/hand) and packing must occur in a clean room or permitted facility.

Processed Foods: Products made from 100% NM Grown Produce+ foods, that have undergone significant processing resulting in a change in the character, or have been combined with at least one other substantial food ingredient. This includes products that are subjected to: milling, slicing/dicing, pureeing, co-mingling, pasteurizing, etc.


Unprocessed/Natural Foods
Fall Winter Spring Summer
Minimally Processed and Cultural Foods

Produce+ Minimally Processed: NM Grown, whole foods that are slightly altered for safety, convenience, or preservation without adding salt, sugar, fats, oils or other ingredients. Products that are hulled/winnowed, de-cobbed, freeze-dried whole, frozen whole, dehydrated whole, sundried whole or ground. 



Cultural Food Products: Foods that are traditionally processed on farm and typically eaten cooked.


Processed Foods

Produce+ Processed: 

Products made from 100% NM Grown crops (grown by ASP Producers), that have undergone significant processing resulting in a change in the character, or have been combined with at least one other substantial food ingredient. This includes products that are subjected to: milling, slicing/dicing, pureeing, co-mingling, curing, smoking, marinating, pasteurizing, etc. Very High Risk: Highly contamination-sensitive raw foods or processed multi-ingredient foods

* Please note that other processed products are not currently allowed.
Meat Products
Meats are acceptable in all forms/cuts. Vendors will specify the type of animal the meat is coming from and whether the product is fresh/frozen. All “minimal processing” happens in an FSIS facility, and therefore any seasoning or additives in the meat that happen at the processor are allowed. The following are “allowed” with intact labeling: 
  • Whole/Raw - ground, diced/sliced, patties, special cuts (prime and not), primals
  • Minimal - Seasoning added
  • Processed - Inclusion of fresh/frozen produce ingredients (co-mingled), nitrates/curing (bacon), jerky
Whole/Raw Whole/Frozen Minimally Processed Processed
Third Party Certified Products

Page 7 - File Uploads and Open Ended Questions

Produce+ File Uploads


If you need support completing a Farm Risk Assessment, please reach out to ASP Staff by emailing asp@farmersmarketsnm.org or calling 505-221-6535.

A farm map should be detailed with inclusion of highlighted growing areas, bathrooms, handwashing stations, compost piles, livestock, septic systems, and water sources. Please include a farm map for each growing site.



Meat Supplier File Uploads
FSIS Registration



As a meat handler, you will have one year from your first application date as a meat supplier to acquire your FSIS number from USDA. Thereafter, you must have a registered FSIS number.
FSIS Inspection Date for Returning Vendors



Please upload documentation of your participation in NMDA Taste the Tradition/Grown with Tradition Logo Program. This should be the Taste the Tradition/Grown with Tradition certificate you receive from NMDA, or it could be the license agreement application you submitted to NMDA if you haven't yet received your certificate.


Download your blank ASP Source Producer Form here.
Food Hub File Uploads




Please contact Emma Dewey at emma@farmersmarketsnm.org to receive a template of the Aggregator Risk Assessment


Download your blank ASP Source Producer Form here.

Core Producer Sourcing Uploads

Download your blank ASP Source Producer Form here.

Minimally Processed Foods Uploads

Fully Processed Foods Uploads


Page 8 - ATTESTATION AND AGREEMENTS

General Self-Attestations for All Vendors:
Self-attestation is a formal declaration where an individual signs a document to personally vouch for its authenticity, accuracy, and truthfulness, replacing the need for a third-party notary. Self-attestation makes the signer personally liable for the truthfulness of the statement, meaning false claims can result in legal consequences or penalties.
NM Grown Program Compliance










ASP Food Safety Practices








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