World Food Day 2026
International Year of the Woman Farmer
Images created by Shianna Harrison (Native American Community Academy)
Join us on Sunday afternoon, October 18, 2:30-4:00 p.m., at the Indigenous Farm Hub, 6370 Corrales Rd, Corrales, to help us celebrate women farmers in New Mexico and other places around the globe.
Our theme this year is linked to the Food and Agriculture Organizaton's International Year of the Woman Farmer campaign (rather than the official WFD theme Innovate today. Nourish tomorrow). We will hear personal stories from several women in New Mexico, from different backgrounds and skills, on the challenges and successes related to growing crops and performing other functions to feed their communities. According to the FAO, women play crucial roles across agrifood systems, but also face more precarious working conditions, heavier workloads, and unequal access to resources.
Our partial list of participants includes representatives from
- AgrAbility Program-Mandy's Farm (Melissa McCue, Saleema Robinson)
- NACA Land Based Healing & Learning (Maya Kwon, Tiarra Little)
- Indigenous Farm Hub (Alice Tsoodle)
- Rio Grande Food Project (Ari Herring, Jessica Swan)
- Desert Hives (Amy Rogers)
- Return Peace Corps Volunteer ( Cathy Day)
- Moderator Pam Roy (Farm to Table/NM Food and Agriculture Policy Council)
The program will also include blessings, prayers and other reflections from the Jewish, Christian, Diné, Pueblo, Muslim, Baháʼí and Hindu traditions.
Organized by the Interfaith Hunger Coalition, Surgite: A Sacred Dance Company, the Turkish Raindrop community in Albuquerque and Indigenous Farm Hub.
You're Invited to A Food Security Forum
A Conversation with New Mexico's Candidates for Governor.
Screenshots from Roadrunner YouTube videos
Roadrunner Food Bank and the Coalition to End Hunger in New Mexico are planning a nonpartisan gubernatorial forum, featuring Democrat Deb Haaland and Republican Gregg Hull. The discussion/dialogue is designed to elevate public understanding of how food systems and food security intersect with agriculture, economic opportunity, public health, and community stability, and to ensure voters have access to thoughtful, issue-based dialogue ahead of the 2026 election.
The original intent was to bring together both candidates in person on Friday, Sept. 4, to discuss food security in the state. Mayor Hull had to cancel his involvement that evening due to unforeseen scheduling conflicts. Organizers are moving ahead ahead with Secretary Haaland on that evening, and arrangements have been made with Mayor Hull and his campaign to record his responses. Both candidates will be asked the same questions by moderator Megan Kamerick. Hull's responses will eventually be posted online.
How to Engage
- In person at Roadrunner Food Bank, 5840 Office Blvd NE, Albuquerque on Sept. 4, 6:00-8:00 p.m.) Register Here (scroll down to registration link) Seating is limited, so register as soon as possible.
- Watch the Sept. 4 livestream on the Roadrunner Food Bank YouTube Page
- A video with responses from both candidates will also be available a few days after the livestreatm, also on the Roadrunner YouTube Page
Rio Grande Food Project's Hike to End Hunger
You are invited to participate in the Rio Grande Food Project's 11th Annual Hike to End Hunger on Saturday, Oct. 17, at Pat Hurley Park Lower Loop Details in the graphic below. Pre-Registration begins on Tuesday, Sept. 1. 
A Few FYIs
- Letter to State Leaders: The New Mexico Center on Law and Poverty has drafted a letter to state leaders thanking them for their work to address food insecurity in New Mexico, and requesting further state investment to counter the effects of HR 1 and the increasing cost of food. Several organizations, including the Interfaith Hunger Coalition, signed on to the letter, which was addressed to Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham; the Chair and Vice Chair of the Senate Finance Committee, Sen. George Muñoz and Sen. Benny Shendo; and the Chair and Vice Chair of the House Appropriations and Finance Committee, Rep. Nathan Small and Rep. Meredith Dixon.
- Food and Farms Day Nominations: The New Mexico Food and Agriculture Policy Council is accepting nominations for the annual New Mexico Food & Farms Day Awards.There are five categories of nominations. Through this nomination process you can highlight the efforts of hard working farmers and ranchers, nonprofit organizations, health and conservation coalitions, and any business or individual contributing to the enrichment of our local food system. Nominations are open until Aug. 30. Learn More
- Film on College Hunger: Learning Hungry is a new documentary and action resource focused on college student food insecurity and the broader basic needs challenges that affect student persistence, health, well-being, and completion.The film, which will premiere sometime in September, features a wide range of voices, including students with lived experience, campus basic needs leaders, policy experts, higher education leaders, business representatives, and elected officials. Sponsored by The Working Hungry, an organization that addresses hunger through film. Sign up for the organization's interest list and to receive a Screening Guide.
- Another World Food Day Commemoration: The Turkish Raindrop Foundation will also offer a program related to World Food Day at its monthly brunch on Sunday, Oct. 25. Stay tuned for details and registration information.
Two Opinion Pieces
SNAP - Not Rio Grande Food Project - Should Be the First Line of Defense Against Hunger
By Ari Herring, Director, Rio Grande Food Project
(Published in latest RGFP newsletter, August 2026)
Rio Grande Food Project recently had the opportunity to share firsthand accounts, and to learn from other community leaders and hunger-relief advocates, about the growing impact of federal cuts to food assistance locally. We are grateful to Senator Ben Ray Luján for taking the time to listen. Read the Source New Mexico report on the rise in demand at New Mexico food banks.
Food banks and pantries across New Mexico are seeing more people seek help as SNAP benefits are reduced or lost. Since the federal passage of H.R. 1 ("One Big Beautiful Bill Act") in mid-2025, more than 18,000 New Mexicans (10,000 children) have lost SNAP benefits.
SNAP should be our nation's first line of defense against hunger because when fully funded, SNAP provides roughly nine meals to every one provided by the food pantry/bank network; food pantries simply cannot fill the growing void. Read Ari's Full Piece
Before opposing mosque, get to know your Muslim neighbors
By Carlos Navarro, convener Interfaith Hunger Coalition
(published in Albuquerque Journal, Aug 10, 2026)
I am concerned about the disinformation and misconceptions that have accompanied the opposition to the construction of a mosque in the North Valley. Some of these folks used terms such as “not a peaceful religion.” Often, the labels of “terrorists” and “jihadists” were used in reference to our Muslim brothers and sisters. I think that is entirely wrong. These people have made up their minds to express hateful rhetoric without first taking time to learn what is true about our Muslim neighbors.
As convener of the informal Interfaith Hunger Coalition, I have found that many of our Muslim brothers and sisters are very good neighbors. Without much fanfare, they have launched projects to feed the community and reach out in other ways. They don’t ask questions, they just provide food and other essentials as well as dignity to people in need, regardless of their faith affiliation. Read full piece
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