CdP is committed to the belief that the only way to address food insecurity is through infrastructure. It has embarked upon an ambitious infrastructure project to create a network of three satellite pantries (Hatch, Chaparral, and Sunland Park) throughout the county, to provide rural clients with the same level of service that is provided at the Central Pantry.

Rural neighborhoods in Dona Ana County have some of the highest rates of poverty in the nation. 46.2% of the residents in Sunland Park have incomes below the poverty level, compared to 14% nationwide, and 21% for the state of New Mexico. Neighboring Anapra has an income lower than 93.7% of U.S. neighborhoods. 29.2% of the residents in Chaparral have incomes below the poverty level, and the poverty level in Anthony reaches 38%. In the northern region of

Over 100,000 people live in rural Dona Ana County. Almost half of them experience food insecurity, and need supplemental, nutritious groceries. A survey conducted by Dona Ana County “Identifying barriers to vital services, 2020” showed: 53% of respondents reported needing food assistance, and 76% of single parent households reported needing food assistance services.

Many families in this area also live in a “food desert”. Many are faced with driving up to 50 miles round trip to access a reasonably priced grocery store with a good selection of fresh food.

Food distribution programs in the area are extremely limited and can be inconvenient to access. CdP operates mobile food pantries, but these pantries are only open once per month, and only provide a limited amount of food. Food is delivered from Albuquerque to the pantry, and, often, drivers experience delays that, in turn cause delays at the pantry. A small food pantry is operated by The Southern New Mexico Project in Sunland Park, but the nonprofit receives just 200 baskets of food per month from its supplier. That means that clients are “rotated” and can only come to the pantry every six months.

With the collaboration of the Village of Hatch, and the Hatch Public School District, the Hatch pantry opened in January of 2024, and, by June of that year, has already tripled the number of clients served each month.
With the infrastructure for food storage, CdP can receive donated and rescued food, make bulk purchases, buy or purchase directly with farmers, and otherwise maximize the amount of food they can distribute.

Low-income families in this area are now able to depend on getting a basket of food, including meat, dairy, baked goods, staples and fresh produce every month. Each basket contains up to 70 meals and is valued at over $250. Being able to count on getting this food every month has been shown to ease financial pressure on low income families. It helps keep them from having to make painful choices between buying food, or paying for utilities, housing, medical care, or other essential needs.

These pantries will be open at least twice per week, at hours that are determined by community need. Families will be able to come to the pantry at hours that are convenient to them.

We are anticipating these two additional pantries, when they are up and running, will be able to distribute 1,500 baskets of food each month, providing nutritional assistance to almost 5,000 individuals every month.