Demos and food trucks added to HomeGrown

HomeGrown: A New Mexico Food Show & Gift Market returns for the sixth year at the New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum with more demonstrations, more samples, food trucks, and many new vendors.

HomeGrown takes place on Saturday, Nov. 23 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 24 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $5 per vehicle, and the first 100 vehicles at the event each day will receive a free burlap shopping bag.

With the holiday season right around the corner, HomeGrown is an opportunity to sample and shop for New Mexico award-winning food products. The New Mexico Department of Agriculture again will be partnering with the Museum to co-host the show.

Attendees can expect about 70 vendors, the majority representing a variety of food and beverage companies from around the state and all of which are New Mexico —Taste the Tradition® and Grown with Tradition® members. Each booth will offer locally produced products, such as award-winning salsas and wine, for attendees to sample and purchase. The show also features crafts made from agriculture resources and hand-made art.

The event will feature the NMDA’s Chef Ambassadors John Hartley and Rocky Durham, who will be demonstrating various recipes using products that will be available for sale by vendors. Both chefs are New Mexico natives who have professional experience in creating dishes from locally made food products.

New demonstrations and samples this year include red chile making by La Reina Hatch Chile Products, fry bread and blue corn tortilla making from Jemez Historic Site and Pueblo of Jemez, and fajitas or green chile sliders by Phil’s Gourmet Sauces of Albuquerque. The demonstrations begin at 11 a.m., 12 p.m., 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. each day.

Food trucks are another new addition to HomeGrown, and they will serve breakfast and lunch each day, as well as competing in the Red Hot Chile Contest, creating a signature dish using red chile from the food show vendors. The winner will be announced at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 24.

On Saturday, Nov. 23, there will be a craft activity for children from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., and pony rides for children from 10:30 to 12. Pony rides are $5.

New Mexico Secretary of Agriculture Jeff Witte predicts that the event will continue to grow and gain recognition from locals and surrounding community members.

“We are thrilled to once again be partnering with the New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum to host the sixth annual HomeGrown event,” said Witte, “Every year, the event grows in both vendors and shoppers who take part in promoting the rich tradition of New Mexico-made food and beverage products. Because of this, HomeGrown has become a New Mexico —Taste the Tradition® signature event.”

NMDA is also promoting its “Elevate New Mexico Agriculture $5 at a Time” campaign. It aims to inspire every New Mexico household to spend $5, or increase their spending by at least $5 per week, on New Mexico agriculture products year-round.

“In partnership with NMDA, we have seen this event turn into a major happening here at the museum and in Las Cruces,” said Museum Director Mark Santiago. “It has really expanded. This show is really special for the Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum in that it provides a unique opportunity to showcase products grown here in New Mexico and it has a become a favorite for those looking to do some early Christmas or holiday shopping.”

Attendees are also invited to tour the museum and enjoy the exhibits at no extra cost. The Museum is located at 4100 Dripping Springs Road in Las Cruces and is a division of the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs. The 47-acre facility tells the story of 4,000 years of growing food in New Mexico through a variety of exhibits and demonstrations.

For more information, call 575-522-4100 or visit www.nmfarmandranchmuseum.org.