2026 Golden Chile Awards Ceremony
We can't wait to celebrate with you in October!
The New Mexico (NM) Grown Golden Chile Awards celebrate the NM Grown Buyers and Approved Suppliers who champion the New Mexico Grown Program. The Program is managed by the NM Grown Coalition, a network of public institutions, community-based organizations, and individuals working together to strengthen local food systems.
Who Can Apply?
- Early care and education (ECE) programs
- K-12 schools
- senior centers
- Tribal senior centers
This year, NM Grown Approved Suppliers (e.g., farmers, ranchers, and food hubs) will no longer apply for the Golden Chile Awards. NM Grown Buyers (e.g., ECEs, K-12 schools, senior centers) will now nominate Approved Suppliers for a Golden Chile Award.
How do the Awards Work?
The Golden Chile Awards are intended to uplift and celebrate the hard work of Buyers and Approved Suppliers participating in NM Grown. Every NM Grown Buyer applicant and Approved Supplier nominee will receive an award, even if you are just getting started with NM Grown-related activities!
All Golden Chile awardees are recognized at a statewide, in-person awards ceremony in the fall, typically in October. In addition, awardees receive two certificates to promote their hard work among colleagues and students:
- a beautiful poster-sized award certificate printed with their award tier (e.g., Golden Chile, Blossom, Sprout, or Seed)
- certificate of recognition signed by the Governor
The Golden Chile Awards Inspire Innovation!
Encouraging innovation and expanding NM Grown implementation are program priorities. As such, there are multiple tiers of recognition:
- Golden Chile - mature and fruitful program
- Blossom - program is reaching maturity
- Sprout - program is growing strong
- Seed - program has potential
Golden Chile Awards Timeline:
- Application released: Spring
- Applications due: June
- Award annoucements: August
- Awards ceremony: Fall (typically October, which is NM Grown Month)
What's in the Golden Chile Awards Application?
The New Mexico Grown Buyer application measures New Mexico Grown participation in five core areas:
- Purchasing and Using NM Grown Food
Support local food producers by purchasing Produce+ and Meat from Approved Suppliers, and serve fresh and tasty foods! - Promoting Local Food Culture in Your Meal Program
- For example, use Nuevo Thursdays to highlight the NM Grown products and producers you bring into the cafeteria! Eaters can meet their farmers and learn more about their food. - Edible Gardens
• Making the connection between the foods we eat and the land we live on supports health. Plant a garden at your site so eaters can gain experience growing local food! - NM Grown Student Voice & Nutrition Education
- Taste tests, culinary challenges, and special events are great ways to inspire innovation and investment in your program - Sustainability of Your NM Grown Program
- Involving students and the community in your program makes it stronger! Integrating NM Grown into policies and staff training, and advocating to leadership, will help ensure your good work is celebrated and sustained.
New this year! NM Grown Approved Suppliers (e.g., farmers, ranchers, and food hubs) will no longer apply for the Golden Chile Awards. We recognize that the awards program presents a valuable marketing opportunity, but one that is not equitably accessible to all food producers—particularly given that the application period overlaps with annual Approved Supplier Program (ASP) renewals and the peak farming season.
So, we're turning to the NM Grown Buyers to nominate NM Grown Approved Suppliers that went above and beyond to supply early care and education sites, K-12 schools, and senior centers with fresh, nutritious, and delicious NM Grown foods.
If you're an NM Grown Approved Supplier and have questions about this change, please contact us at [email protected].
Applications are currently closed.
Want more info about the New Mexico Grown Golden Chile Awards?
For more information and questions, please contact:
Gabriel Gaarden
Healthy Eating & Physical Activity Coordinator
New Mexico Department of Health
[email protected]
