Albuquerque, NM - The Indian Pueblo Cultural Center (IPCC) and the National Hispanic Cultural Center (NHCC) are proud to announce the first annual From Field to Feast Celebration October 4 – 18, 2008. This two-weeklong community festival celebrates the traditional histories of planting, harvesting, cooking and eating of food while considering issues of health and well-being. Building on the success of the IPCC’s Community Connections Native Food and Wellness Program in the fall of 2007, both cultural centers will host a series of collaborative, interactive programs and events at each site.
Events ranging from a Farmers Market and Fun Run to a Native Chef Cook-Off and film festival will be offered at both sites giving the public the opportunity to learn more about the rich and varied customs and traditions that the Native American and Hispanic Communities share. Brian Vallo, Museum Director for the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center states, “Since time immemorial, Pueblo Indian people have sustained a way of life that is deeply connected to the Earth Mother and all of its bounty. Today, we continue to nourish ourselves with natural vegetation as well as indigenous fruits and vegetables planted in a variety of ancestral farming environments. Within nearly four centuries, many of these farming traditions were adopted by other Native American people, Hispanics, and Mexicans who settled areas near Pueblo Indian communities. Consequently, it has been agriculture and food traditions that have influenced New Mexican culture as we know it today. "From Field to Feast" acknowledges this unique history and shared tradition while promoting for healthier lifestyles among all generations of our Indo-Hispano population.”
One of the main purposes of this celebration is to engage the community in a fun and festive way while exploring and celebrating shared food histories and cultural legacies, farming practices, healing powers of food and the artistic expressions in New Mexico in both the Native American and Hispanic communities. NHCC Executive Director Eduardo Díaz adds, “Spaniards, Mexicans and New Mexicans have been living among Pueblo communities for hundreds of years. Over that period of time many unique and diverse cultural traditions have emerged, many of them closely held and shared. From Field to Feast is a singular opportunity to explore a range of these shared Indo-Hispano traditions in a way that will also promote native food and wellness and healthier lifestyles for our communities."
From Field to Feast opening ceremonies will be held at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center on Saturday, October 11th at 10 am. A complete listing of activities and programs at both institutions can be found at www.nhccnm.org and www.indianpueblo.org. From Field to Feast is an initiative of the New Mexico Community Foundation.