If you’re thinking of putting together holiday care packages for family members living outside the Land of Enchantment, or just looking to try something new, you’re in for a treat. The tenth annual HomeGrown: A New Mexico Food Show & Gift Market will take place 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 23, and 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 24, at the New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum, 4100 Dripping Springs Rd., Las Cruces.
A division of the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs, the New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum is a 47-acre facility that tells the story of 4,000 years of growing food in New Mexico through a variety of exhibits and demonstrations. HomeGrown: A New Mexico Food Show & Gift Market is an opportunity to sample and shop for New Mexico’s award-winning food products. The two go together like beans and chile.
“What I really love is that you get so many folks that are local and unique to New Mexico,” said event vendor Louis Santana of Santana’s Black Label, a Las Cruces company making gourmet jerky. “You get to see items that you don’t see at the store. Its hugely different than what you would see at any other market.”
The New Mexico Department of Agriculture (NMDA) partners with the Museum each year to co-host the show. Attendees can expect about 60 vendors, the majority representing food and beverage companies from around the state, many of which are NMDA’s “Taste the Tradition®” and “Grown with Tradition®” members.
“It’s an opportunity for us to feature them and let people know about our logo program,” said NMDA Communications Specialist Jenny Green.
Each booth offers locally produced products, such as award-winning salsas, nuts, sauces, and wine, for attendees to sample and purchase. The NMDA food demonstration trailer is also featured at the event and NMDA’s Taste the Tradition Chef Ambassadors Jon Young will conduct cooking demonstrations each day.
“Jon will be demonstrating a couple of recipes at different intervals,” Green said. “That usually gathers an audience. He’ll give out samples and explain where people can find the local products used in the recipes.”
The show also features crafts, art, and other hand-made products, including Native American pottery and jewelry from northern and central New Mexico. Native American jeweler Jennifer Garcia said she loves bringing her work to HomeGrown because the people are especially friendly.
“The people are nice. I make friends and feel at home. I love making new friends along the way,” Garcia said.
Back by popular demand, Doña Ana County 4-H members will be selling their colorfully decorated mini-Christmas trees and wreaths.
“I feel like HomeGrown really encourages people who participate,” said Nenada Maslovaric, owner of Roots in Ruidoso. “It’s about getting local New Mexicans to know about our products.”
Admission is $10 per vehicle, and the first 100 vehicles at the event each day will receive a free burlap shopping bag. Attendees are also invited to tour the Museum and enjoy the exhibits at no extra cost. Info: 575-522-4100 or www.NMFarmAndRanchMuseum.org
