ABQ Fresh: City Support

Lot Reimagined

Lot Reimagined activates vacant MRA-owned lots by transforming underused spaces into community assets through pop-ups, small markets, and creative programming. These activations increase foot traffic, support local entrepreneurs, and create potential sites for fresh-food access and neighborhood markets aligned with ABQ Fresh goals.

Murals of Possibility

This $750 grant brings vibrant, locally inspired artwork to Metropolitan Redevelopment Areas, beautifying corridors and strengthening neighborhood identity. Public art helps create welcoming, high-visibility spaces that support small businesses—including future neighborhood markets and fresh-food vendors envisioned through ABQ Fresh.

Development Opportunities

The MRA regularly releases Requests for Proposals (RFPs) to bring new development and investment to Metropolitan Redevelopment Areas. Food-related businesses—such as neighborhood markets, small grocers, food halls, and production or distribution concepts—are welcome and encouraged to submit ideas.

Local Farming

This year, the Heritage Farm produced over 1,626 pounds of fruits and vegetables (not including apples) for animal enrichment and diet, saving the City thousands of dollars that would have been spent to acquire food from outside sources.

Education

The Heritage Farm produces many items used by the BioPark’s Education team to further our mission of educating and empowering our community on the importance of local agriculture. This includes projects for seasonal camp children like animal fibers for sensory stations and small planting projects. These educational opportunities also support local growers.

Composting

The Heritage Farm has an active composting program that uses plant and animal waste collected on BioPark grounds to amend all gardens, ensuring high-quality produce rich in antioxidants and vitamins. Produce is distributed BioPark-wide from the Zoo to our own collection on the farm. In addition, the BioPark prioritizes sustainability with reduced or zero plastic and compostable cups and cutlery.

Pollinators

As part of the new renovations at the Heritage Farm, we have planted many forageable native species that will produce habitat and food for wildlife. This includes several pollinator gardens to help ensure a bustling ecosystem starting from the ground up. The Heritage Farm has a small apiary where bees are kept ensuring crops are pollinated. This includes several wild hives that have been collected across our campus over the past two years. This is possible because we use only organic pesticides and fertilizers on our farm.

Water Savings

The Heritage Farm implements old and new agriculture techniques to save water, protect the soil biome, and ensure high-quality organic produce for our animal collections. This includes, but is not limited to, no/low till farming methods, using swales to control water and soil movement, and rain collection. This year the Heritage Farm collected over 25,000 gallons of rainwater, which is used to reduce water consumption during the hottest summer months by our animal pastures, orchards, and vineyards. Self-serve water refill stations are stationed across the BioPark to reduce plastic waste and provide options other than fountain drinks for all guests.

Harvest Festival

The Heritage Farm harvested over 7,000 pounds of apples to press for cider, which we sell during our Harvest Festival. As the new apple trees come of age, this number will greatly increase our supply for the rising demand of our cider. In addition to the cider, the Harvest Festival also roasts and serves local green chile. The Harvest Festival had over 7,500 attendees in 2025.

Concessions

There are numerous fresh fruits and vegetables in our “grab and go” options across the BioPark, along with options for various dietary restrictions.

How does the Sunport Impact the Initiative?

The Albuquerque Sunport welcomes over 5 million passengers on Air Carrier Aircraft through our terminal annually. These passengers partake in our concessions program that generates a wide variety of food stuffs for these passenger’s consumption. The opportunity to partner with our concessions program could yield product that would otherwise be disposed of to support the Fresh Initiative. Additionally, the Sunport currently hosts a community garden on some of its property. There are opportunities to expand the program on adjoining airport owned lands.

Current Programs and Projects 

• The ABQ Sunport currently hosts the International District Community Garden on  Wellesley Drive.
• The ABQ Sunport is in the process of developing a composting program for non- contaminated food waste with the concessionaires.

Opportunities

• Expand the community gardens along Wellesley on Airport Owned Tracts between  Ross and Crest.
• Study working with Concessionaires to divert items that are still fit for consumption that would otherwise be disposed of or placed into the composting program.
• Study to see if there are other properties at Sunport and/or Double Eagle II to place additional Community Gardens. 

What We Do?

The Department of Senior Affairs senior meal program promotes good health, encourages socialization, prevents malnutrition, and provides nutrition education. Senior Nutrition Programs are funded by the Area Agency on Aging to prepare lunch menus which reflect nutrition for overall health and well-being, and include New Mexico local fruits, vegetables, beans, chile, and meat. DSA uses a local nutritionist to evaluate its monthly menu planning. In 2024,the DSA launched a plant-based menu one day of the week into its menu.

Congregate Meal Programs

Prepares and delivers daily nutritious lunch meals to older adults 60 and older at twenty-four partner sites, senior and multigenerational centers throughout Bernalillo County.

• DSA senior and multigenerational centers prepare meals daily in their own kitchens. Partner sites receive meals from the CABQ CASA kitchen prepared daily and delivered out to the community.
• In FY25, DSA served more than 260,000 congregate meals in the community. DSA is always looking for partners for food banks and food recuse resources to distribute through our centers – recently, more than 170 households were helped through a food bank held at Manzano Mesa Multigenerational Center.
• DSA is looking for meal site volunteers to help serve daily meals at partnership sites!

Home Delivered Meal Program

Prepares and delivers daily (and frozen weekend) nutritious lunch meals to older adults 60 and older who qualify for home-delivered meals within Bernalillo County.

In FY25, DSA prepared and delivered more than 166,000 meals across Bernalillo County.

NM Grown Grant Recipient

Winner of this Year’s NM Grown Golden Chile Award! Annual recognition program by the New Mexico Grown Coalition and the New Mexico Department of Health that honors those dedicated to strengthening local food systems and reconnecting people with local food.

The Parks and Recreation Department (PRD) plays a significant role in the City of Albuquerque’s sustainable and equitable local food and agriculture system. PRD manages nearly 300 neighborhood parks and 30,000 acres of open space. The City’s Local Food and Agriculture Coordinator position is also housed within PRD; this position focuses on important elements of farming/gardens/agriculture on City land and other properties, including:

• Supporting management of Open Space farmlands;
• Providing resources, technical support, and workshops for school and community gardens, including developing agreements for city-partnered community gardens;
• Promoting food systems collaborations and conferences;
• Defining the City's role in local agriculture throughout the metro and advancing policies that improve local agriculture/food systems that benefit the community.

Parks offer opportunities for community gardens, food forests, composting sites, apiaries and native plant areas that support. City parks currently host community gardens and/or food forest elements at several locations, including Loma Linda/Korean Veterans Park, Phil Chacon Park, and the Rey Garduno Community Garden. New PRD community garden/food forest projects are underway in Santa-Barbara Martineztown, at Geneivas Arroyo in the Clayton Heights neighborhood, and at the International District Library Park. PRD has developed 15 pollinator gardens, with many other sites planned. Over the years, City parks are or have been the location for several growers’ markets, including the Downtown Growers Market.

Open Space land provides critical natural habitat for wildlife and pollinators while also supporting recreation, as well as local agriculture and food production in some places. Open Space acquisition has permanently protected irreplaceable agricultural lands in the Middle Rio Grande Valley, and the Open Space Division continues to strive to protect additional lands, especially those within the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District. Five Open Space areas are specifically agricultural sites, where OSD contracts with farmers to manage the lands for agricultural production and to support wildlife. These include Los Poblanos Fields Open Space, Hubbell Oxbow Farm, Alamo Farm, and Open Space Visitor Center Farm. The Candelaria Nature Preserve is the 5th site, which is transitioning from agricultural production to a wildlife preserve.

Learn more about local agricluture in Albuquerque.

The Department of Municipal Development through its Real Property Division support the implementation of Mayor Keller’s Executive Order “Commitment to supporting a local food system and economy; and stabilizing our families and communities.”

The Real Property Division is committed to assisting public and private owners and public organizations in identifying vacant City properties to potentially lease for a variety of food system activities to assist with supporting the local food system for families and communities. In the coming months, the Real Property Division will be assessing a number of options for structuring leases and use agreements.

If you are interested in speaking with a representative of the Real Property team, please call 505-924-3489.

What Does the Consumer Health Protection Division Do?

EHD’s Consumer Health Protection Division (CHPD) regularly permits and inspects restaurants, food processing/manufacturing establishments, mobile food trucks, schools, and other institutions for public health risks to consumer safety and health. Inspectors identify these risks and provide education and training to mitigate risks and prevent diseases.

CDC estimates that each year roughly 1 in 6 Americans (or 48 million people) gets sick, 128,000 are hospitalized, and 3,000 die of foodborne diseases.

• Foodborne illnesses cost the U.S. about  $17.6 billion per year.
• Many of these illnesses occur as part of  a foodborne illness outbreak.
• More than half of all foodborne illness  outbreaks in the United States are  associated with restaurants, delis,  banquet facilities, schools, and other  institutions.

Food managers are in a key position to influence the policies and practices in their restaurant that affect food safety.

CHPD explores findings on specific food safety practices, foods linked to outbreaks, traces products back to sources of concern and guides/educates food facilities on how to prevent illnesses now and in the future.

We also provide the public education on food safety tips for dining out to help prevent food poisoning. Tips include checking restaurant inspection scores which we post weekly on our website, ordering food cooked to a safe internal temperature, and more. In 2024, the Food Service and Retail Ordinance (FSO) was passed by City Council, allowing the Department to promulgate a set of rules. The Rules of the FSO adopt the US Food and Drug Administration 2022 Food Code which, together with the FSO and its rules, reflect the most current food science to ensure public health through food safety.

The Following Three Aspects of CHPD Operations Already Promote Fresh Food Initiatives in the Community

• Food Bank permits, previously limited to warehouse style packaged foods, were replaced with a categorization of Charitable Food Provider allowing any food permit type to be issued at no cost when the purpose of the permit was the donation of food. This free permit allows the distribution of a wider variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, hot meals and more to those in need. Charitable Food Provider permits can now be more effectively tracked by the Department for the purposes of education and establishing risk posed to the community by individual operations.
• Market Food Establishment Permits were created in 2023 which allow for vendors to obtain a single year-long permit to be able to participate in any Market within Albuquerque.
• The Homemade Food Act of 2021 now allows for homebased food operations to provide low risk foods without a permit. These homemade foods may be sold directly to the consumer at markets, festivals, road stands, or a permitted food establishment owned and operated by the same individual. This measure also allows citizens to enjoy the benefits of fresh fruits and vegetables straight from community gardens, homes and farms at no cost.

The donation of food within communities is a long standing and important societal practice and is a critical component of reducing food loss and waste. CHPD strives to work with restaurants, shelters, hospitals, schools, retail stores, and any other food distributor to ensure that safe food is provided to our community through education of safe food handling practices, notification of food recalls, and investigations into foodborne illness.

CHPD is working with the Office of Sustainability to update the City’s Food Donation Guide, which encourages donation of food that is stored, prepared, packaged, displayed, and labeled in accordance with the applicable provisions contained in the Food Code and FSO and to write and promulgate new rules to address food safety and safe handling of foods in Community Fridges.

How does the Planning Department Support Fresh Food?

The Zoning Code Regulates “Uses” Related to Food:

• The Planning Department helps update and implement plans, processes, and zoning regulations related to urban agriculture and food production and processing.
• The Comprehensive Plan has many policies that encourage growing and providing fresh, local food.
• The Integrated Development Ordinance  (the City’s zoning code) regulates many uses related to food.
• Business licenses and building permits could be fast-tracked to help businesses that increase food supply and food production.

Share What You Think About Zoning Updates for Tienditas / Micro-Markets

In 2026, City Council will consider changes to the zoning code to allow corner stores in or near neighborhoods. This proposed change would allow community-scale food businesses, like micro-markets or tienditas, to operate within walking distance in existing neighborhoods. The goal is to bring daily essentials, especially fresh food, closer to where people live, matching the scale of residential development.

These Types of Businesses (up to 5,000 s.f.) Would be Allowed in Residential Zone Districts on Corner Lots:

• General retail
• Grocery store
• Live/work

Learn more and be part of the City’s review and decision process

ABQ’s Comprehensive Plan Encourages Fresh Food near Neighborhoods

Where Could You Start a Community Garden? 

Find this information in the IDO

Types of Sales/Markets Currently Allowed.

• Agricultural Sales Stand
• Farmers’ Market
• Seasonal Outdoor Sales
• Community Garden

Locations Available for Growth and Sales of Produce/Food Items.

• Community Garden – Allowed permissively in all Residential and Mixed-Use zones, some Non-Residential zones, and in City Parks. An accessory Agricultural Sales Stand is allowed up to a 100 square foot area.
• Agricultural Sales Stand – Allowed on premise of property where product was raised. Limitations of size and location (up to 400 square feet in R-A zone, only 50 square feet in other zones). Allowed in all Residential and Mixed-Use zones, and some Non-Residential zones.
• Farmers’ Market – Allowed Temporarily in all but the R-1 residential zones, in all Mixed-Use, and in some NonResidential zones. Occasional or periodic markets located in a designated area.
• Seasonal Outdoor Sales – Allowed in Mixed-Use and Non-Residential zones, but only as a Temporary Use. Requires a Temporary Use Permit, limited to 45 days in a calendar year.

What Permits or Licensing Do I Need?

• Use must be allowed in zone that the property is in. If so, a Site Plan—Administrative required. If Conditional Use required, the ZHE reviews and approves at a public hearing.
• Business License needed if sales for retail, and/or if State Tax ID is required.
• Temporary Use Permit needed for Seasonal Outdoor Sales.
• Food Permit or Temporary Food Permit needed from Environmental Health. Find more information on food permits.

How Can I Get a Business License, Site Plan, or Building Permit?

• All our applications are now online!
• Need help? Call one of our Planning Navigators 505-924-3860 or email [email protected].
• Need help with a Building Permit? Call Building Safety 505-92403320 or email [email protected]

When Do I Need a Building Permit?

Commercial and Residential Building permits are generally required for:

• Additions, Renovations and structural changes (walls, roofs, foundations)
• Electrical, plumbing, or mechanical installations
• Accessory structures over 120 sq. ft. (sheds, carports, shade structures, decks etc.
• Exemptions may apply for very small alterations or temporary structures.

Always check Building Safety and Code Enforcement before starting any type of construction!

What Does the Sustainability Office Do?

Collaborate across departments, with community organizations, and residents to mitigate climate pollution and foster equitable, resilient communities— including preventing and reducing waste.

Help Us

1. Prevent food waste when possible.
   1. Did you know…the average American spends $728 each year on food they throw away?
   2. Explore ways to prevent food waste at home
2.  Feed others safely.
   1. Use and share our Food Donation Guide
3. Divert food waste to become compost.
   1. Join the drop-off pilot at McKinley Community Center
   2. Become a Community Compost Volunteer
   3. Find home composting tips and resources

Vision: Move from a Linear to Circular Food System

Sustainability Office Food Waste and Circularity Milestones

• 2021 Climate Action Plan Released – contains food systems goals.
• 2022 Sustainable Waste Specialist Position Created in the Sustainability Office.
• 2022 Waste is a Resource Webpage Published – focused on food waste and circularity.
• 2023 Local Food Waste Calculation Released – conducted by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), estimates that 112,600 tons of food is wasted in the Albuquerque area annually.
• 2023 Community Compost at Barelas Senior Center’s Community Garden Started. Volunteer!
• 2023-24 Food Scrap Pilot Conducted – tested food waste diversion at a commercial kitchen and concessions site and diverted 7.5 tons of material from the landfill in one year.
• 2023-2024 Equity Focused Composting Project Designed – extensive community feedback led to free food scrap to compost drop-off project.
• 2024 Sustainability Resolution Passed – names circularity and food waste.
• 2025 Food Waste to Compost Drop-Off Pilot Project Launched – designed by community input, this pilot is testing the drop-off model at McKinley community Center. Participate!
• 2025 Food Systems Executive Order Signed by Mayor Keller – dramatically expands municipal food waste prevention and reduction work supported by the Sustainability Office.
• 2025 Food Donation Guide Updated – worked with the City’s Consumer Health Protection Division to update our local Food Donation Guide. Use/Share!
• 2025 ABQ Fresh Forum Hosted by Mayor Keller – collaboration to build an actionable circular food system roadmap. Thank you for participating!
• (Coming soon!) Central New Mexico Comprehensive Climate Action Plan Release – formed in partnership with the 2025 Community Task Force and policy advisors, has three food systems priorities: reduce food/organic waste, increase composting and application, and promote sustainable agriculture.

Food Distribution

• Community Food Boxes: Four City social services centers distribute food boxes to residents every wee.
• Dail Meal Volume Across Programs: Gateway programs serve an average of 3,414 meals every day, totaling more than 1.24 million meals annally. Meals are culturally appropriate, adapted to dietary needs when possible, and provided at no cost to clients.
• Partnership & Stewardship: The Gateway System partners with a contracted local caterer through the ABQ Fresh initiative to ensure responsible, reliable, and locally sourced meal provision.

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