City’s Backyard Harvest Program Encourages Abundance and Community

Even in a desert city after a dry summer, Albuquerque's backyard gardens keep growing, and so does the generosity of the people tending them. The City's new Albuquerque Backyard Harvest Share bridges that gap, collecting homegrown produce from local growers and distributing it free through Health and Social Services Centers already serving hundreds of families every month.

The program channels homegrown fruits, vegetables, herbs, and other produce directly into the City's existing food pantry network, operating five days a week out of four Health and Social Services Centers — two of which serve close to 900 Albuquerque residents every month. The announcement comes as federal SNAP cuts put added pressure on families already stretching to make ends meet, and as the City doubles down on building a stronger, more connected local food economy.

"Bring in what you don't need, and come get what you do need. That's the idea behind the Backyard Harvest Share,” said Mayor Tim Keller. “We have backyard gardens, fruit trees, and more to share than we realize. Let’s do something with that abundance.”

The program is the latest investment by the Health, Housing and Homelessness department (HHH) in community health and food access. The department’s Health and Social Services Centers serve Albuquerque families across all four quadrants of the city by providing food pantry services, health screenings, social services, and more.

"Food security and community health go hand in hand, and our Health and Social Services Centers have always been a place where Albuquerque families know they can come and never be turned away,” said HHH Director Gilbert Ramírez. “The Backyard Harvest Share extends that promise by bringing the generosity of our community's home growers directly to our neighbors who need it most.”

"Food pantries are where communities show up for each other, and when that food is locally grown, it carries something extra. At CNM, we see every day how food insecurity affects students' ability to stay in school and succeed. The Backyard Harvest Share taps into something Albuquerque already has: people who grow more than they need and neighbors who can use it.” said Ben Tobias, Manager of Student Basic Needs, CNM.

Home growers can donate fresh, homegrown produce — including fruits, vegetables, herbs, dried chiles, dried beans, garlic, onions, and flower bouquets — at any Health and Social Services Center during operating hours or at City events. All donated eggs must follow safety guidelines. No sign-up is required. All donations must be homegrown, whole, and unprocessed.

Drop-off locations:

• Alamosa Health and Social Services Center — 6900 Gonzales Rd SW
• Ruth M. Adams Health and Social Services Center — 7525 Zuni Rd SE
• John Marshall Health and Social Services Center — 1500 Walter St SE
• Dede Feldman Los Griegos Health and Social Services Center — 1231 Candelaria Rd NW

For more information about the ABQ Backyard Harvest Share, contact Rachel Petroff at 505.761.4050 or visit https://www.cabq.gov/health-housing-homelessness/health/health-social-services/albuquerque-backyard-harvest.