(Albuquerque, NM – October 3, 2011) - Come enjoy the 2011 Local Food Festival and Field Day, at the Historic Hubbell House in Albuquerque’s South Valley.

“Supporting local food means we keep our farmlands in agricultural production, support farmers and local food producers, and grow agriculture jobs” says Dewey V. Cave, Executive Director of the Mid-Region Council of Governments. “Plus, nothing tastes better than New Mexico Chile, and other harvest products, in October!”

2011 Local Food Festival and Field Day Activities

• Watch and learn as area chefs demonstrate special food creations using local food
• Listen to talks on gardening, and learn how healthy food leads to better health for you and your family
• Purchase some of New Mexico’s bountiful harvest – get the last of the tomatoes, squash, beans, and cucumbers.
• And if you haven’t gotten your green chile – there’ll be a roaster right on site!
• Come have lunch as local vendors sell a variety of delectable dishes from their artful and tasteful “food trucks”
• Tour the historic Hubbell House for readings from local food authors and short food-related films… or just relax in the shade and listen to live music and poetry readings

And hey kids! - There’ll be sack races, seed-spitting contests, a climbing wall, face painting, horseback riding and free root beer from a keg! Plus, a number of workshops just for kids:

• Seeds – What Takes a Seed to Grow?
• Turn Newspapers into Seed Pots
• Make Your Own Insect
• Learn how to make your own fun and healthful snacks!

“It’s pretty simple – healthy land, healthy food, healthy people”, says Commissioner Art De La Cruz, Bernalillo County. “With rising healthcare costs, prevention is still the best medicine. This food festival is as much of a learning experience as it is a celebration of our local agriculture – and it’s for people of all ages.”

The event is organized and sponsored by the Mid-Region Council of Governments and Bernalillo County. For more information, visit www.localfoodnm.org.

The festival is free and open to the public and celebrates food from the ground up!