Our initiatives are working to develop an equitable and sustainable food system in New Mexico by supporting local food industry startups and helping small to mid-sized farms and food producers scale their operations. We do this because we believe that a sustainable and accessible food system is key to fostering sustainable communities, promoting social justice, and addressing the unique challenges faced by underinvested individuals and families in the South Valley and wider region. Additionally, we connect our efforts with collaborative place-based strategies that support primarily the South Valley community and Bernalillo County, such as developing an entrepreneurial ecosystem to provide equitable access to all and increase access to services in order to reduce the adverse social determinants of health in the South Valley and Westgate communities.