We thank you for your patience as we have worked to improve our application experience and internal systems for our 2026 (FY27) ASP Application Cycle and are excited to announce that our application will be opening for submission in early March as soon as we’ve worked out any kinks. Please keep an eye out for another announcement as soon as it opens!

We’d also like to invite you to attend our New Mexico Grown Producers Listening session on Thursday, March 5th from 3:30 to 4:45pm at the NMFMA Conference which will be held in the Board Room at the Santa Fe Community College located at 6401 Richards Ave. Santa Fe, New Mexico 87508.

As New Mexico Grown enters its second decade, this session is designed as a dedicated listening space for producers. We will share updates on program developments and evolving participation requirements within NM Grown and the Approved Supplier Program, and—most importantly—hear directly from producers about their experiences. In a changing political and funding landscape, strengthening NM Grown and supporting stable markets depends on producer-informed solutions. This facilitated conversation will focus on how program processes impact day-to-day operations, where additional support or clarity is needed, and opportunities to improve access and inclusion as the program evolves.

For questions about the conference, please contact Cat Baca at [email protected] or (505) 983-4010.

In the meantime, you can prepare for submitting your application by ensuring that you have all the right documents to submit! We have some important updates to the application this year so please read carefully.

Required Documents for Your Application

Each application type will have a set of documents that you are required to upload. Depending upon what activities you do in your operation, you may be subject to additional uploads.

Changes For Produce Plus Vendors

One of our big changes this year is that we are requiring all new and returning Produce Plus vendors to either submit a Food Safety Plan or to use our new and improved Risk Assessment. This new Risk Assessment is intended to be used as a tool for farmers to assess food safety risks on their farms using a more straightforward approach, and will assist our application reviewers in better understanding farmers’ food safety practices and awareness. Please download the packet of Risk Assessment forms here.

If you’re new to ASP or if you’re returning and it’s been a couple years since you’ve taken a food safety training, this is a great time to take a food safety training. You can sign up for an upcoming NMFMA training on our events page.

Now is a great time to also complete a well water test if you are using well water for post-harvest handling. You can visit our list of statewide water testing facilities here.

Produce Plus Requirements

• Food Safety Plan or NEW Risk Assessment
• Farm Map for each Growing Site (must label growing locations, bathrooms/porta-potties, handwashing stations, livestock pens, compost/manure piles, septic systems, water sources, etc.)
• Water Test (if using well water for post-harvest purposes: handwashing, produce washing, cleaning and sanitizing)
• Food Safety Training Certification (for new vendors)
• Alternate: Current GAP Certificate with Food Safety Plan, SOPs, and Farm Map

Meat Vendors, Meat Resellers or Meat Distributors Requirements

• FSIS Number or FSIS 5020-1 Registration of Meat and Poultry Handlers Form
• General Liability Insurance policy of $1 million or more
• NMDA Taste the Tradition/Grown with Tradition certification (for new vendors)

Sourcing and Reselling Produce or Meat from Other Suppliers

If you are sourcing and selling produce or meat items from other New Mexico Grown Approved Suppliers, these uploads are also required:

• List of all New Mexico Grown Approved Suppliers with contact information
• SOPs for how you receive and distribute others’ product

Food Hub or Food Distribution Program

• GAP Certification or status update on certification process
• Food Safety Plan with facility map
• Vendor Policies
• List of all Suppliers and contact information

Distributor

• Food Safety Plan
• Must include Cold Chain SOPs and temperature logs
• List of all Approved Suppliers and contact information

Minimal Processing of Food Products

If you are minimally processing (drying, freezing, roasting, grinding, pasteurizing, milling) any products, submit:

• GMPs or HACCP Plan describing your processes for minimal processing
• State, regional, or municipal permits for wholesale distribution

Please also check out the New Mexico Grown Website for additional information and resources. We recommend that you familiarize yourself with the Allowable Products List, our Buyers List, and Program Compliance.

If you have any questions regarding submitting an application, please contact our ASP Systems Manager, Emma Dewey at [email protected] or (505) 221-6535, or reach out to the ASP Team at [email protected].