BUILDING A STRONGER FOOD SYSTEM TOGETHER
TCF's Partnerships Improve Food Access Across Taos County
Taos County has a long tradition of partnership around food, one that has sustained our rural communities for generations. From coming together to clean acequias, to gathering for meat roastings, or hunting in the mountains, these collective efforts have always been rooted in resilience, mutual support, and a deep sense of community. That same spirit of collaboration remains just as essential today. As the food landscape continues to shift at local, state, and federal levels, partnerships across the community ensure access to a more resilient food system for the future. This work is carried forward by a strong network of organizations, with Taos Community Foundation (TCF) contributing alongside others to help connect people and resources.
A collaborative approach has been especially important as food insecurity has continued to increase across the region. Last November, local partners convened through the 100% Taos County Initiative Food Action Team in response to the first round of SNAP cuts.
From those conversations, TCF reactivated the Fund for Taos, raising more than $17,000 to support Sin Fronteras Nuevo México, Taos Behavioral Health’s Nurturing Center, Holy Cross Medical Center’s Cancer Support Services, and Taos Immigrant Allies. This funding went directly to serving individuals and families in need. Just as important as the funding itself was the flexibility it provided, allowing organizations to respond to their communities' most pressing needs.
Siena Sanderson of the Nurturing Center said that flexibility made a meaningful difference. "TCF's financial assistance allowed us to partner with local schools to provide families with essential perishable foods during a time of SNAP cuts and rising food and gas costs."
Beyond emergency response, efforts are also focused on longer-term solutions to improve food access. With many parts of Taos County considered food deserts, transportation remains a major barrier.
To help address this challenge, UNM-Taos, in partnership with TCF and the LOR Foundation, is launching a pilot food locker program at the Klauer Campus. The 30-unit refrigerated locker system will allow food insecure students and staff to pick up groceries outside traditional pantry hours. Chancellor Mary Gutierrez of UNM-Taos shared, "Our students are most successful when their basic needs are met. These food lockers provide a simple but powerful way to reduce barriers by offering flexible, reliable access to food when students need it."
In response to requests from local organizations, TCF brought together local food partners, supported through the Anchorum Community Health Fund, to share resources, discuss regional challenges, and strengthen relationships. For many participants, the gathering offered an important reminder that while the challenges are significant, no organization is carrying the work alone. By bringing partners together, Taos Community Foundation helps strengthen a network that can share resources, learn from one another, and respond more effectively to community needs.
In Taos County, the path to food security is not built by any one organization alone, but through strong partnerships across the community that are creating a more resilient and equitable food system.
Representatives from food pantries, nonprofits and community organizations gather during Taos Community Foundation’s 2026 Summer Food Partners Meeting to discuss regional challenges, share resources and strengthen partnerships that improve food access across Taos County.
