The Rural Food Initiative began in May 2011, to serve people who live in the county’s rural areas, specifically those in or near the county’s 37 colonias.

The sites for the 13 original mobile food pantries were based upon two factors – the lack of public transportation to and from Las Cruces, and that those areas have little to no access to full-service grocery stores.

The Rural Food Initiative provides a delivery of food baskets to 10 communities on a regular day each month. Roadrunner Food Bank delivers the products, and CdP staff and volunteers register clients and organize the distribution.