Mesilla Valley Food Policy Council

The Mesilla Valley Food Policy Council (MVFPC) is a coalition of government officials, nonprofit leaders, private business, and community representatives who collaborate to evaluate and improve our local food system while acting as a forum for food issues and a platform for coordinated action. The MVFPC’s mission is to improve the availability of safe, healthy, and sustainable food at reasonable prices for all residents that foster a link between food, health, and local economic development.

The MVFPC meets quarterly with working group meetings in the interim. There are 3 current working groups: Healthy Food Access, Food Planning, & Urban Agriculture. The Healthy Food Access group focuses on creating an action plan to increase investment in healthy food outlets in food desert areas in Dona Ana County, and this working group is collaborating with communities to find workable solutions to food access concerns. The Food Planning group is completing a Mesilla Valley Food Plan to inform the MVFPC, elected officials, and local communities on effective strategies, initiatives, and policy recommendations. The Urban Agriculture group focuses on events, programs, and initiatives that highlight and support growing food in the City of Las Cruces.