[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 108 (Friday, June 24, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E669-E670]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         CONGRATULATING THE SANTA FE FARMERS' MARKET INSTITUTE

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. TERESA LEGER FERNANDEZ

                             of new mexico

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 24, 2022

  Ms. LEGER FERNANDEZ. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to congratulate the 
Santa Fe Farmers' Market Institute on its 20th Anniversary on Saturday, 
June 25, 2022. The Institute champions local farmers and ranchers and 
provides equitable access to fresh, local food to the community.
  Home to one of the largest farmers' markets in the country, and the 
largest in New Mexico, the Institute serves as a venue for well over a 
hundred farmers from the 15 counties of northern New Mexico to sell 
their produce. The Institute nourishes us by giving us access to 
nutritious locally grown foods. At the same time, it brings our 
community closer together.
  In addition to providing a home for farmers and ranchers to sell 
their products, the Institute administers Farmer Focused Programs and 
Microloans. The flexible loans fund projects that support many of the 
vendors' businesses. They also improve the quality and quantity of the 
products brought to the Market.
  Moreover, the Institute endeavors to benefit everyone in our 
community. Its Double Up Food Bucks program matches all EBT cards 
dollar for dollar. That essentially doubles SNAP participants' purchase 
power for fresh and nutritious local produce.
  And almost as important as all of this, is that the Farmers' Market 
is a joy. It is vibrant,

[[Page E670]]

fun, delicious, and makes the community come alive in support of our 
local growers and makers.
  From here in D.C., I can easily recall the smell of green chile 
roasting in the fall, the crisp apples turned into cider, the fresh 
snap peas in the spring, and ah, the unforgettable taste of that first 
full big juicy tomato in the summer. Then there are those beautiful 
flowers, first as seedlings in the spring, and then as bouquets of 
sunflowers or garlands of marigolds to be used for Dia de Los Muertos 
in November.
  The market brings to life not only our senses of smell, taste, and 
vision, but we are often serenaded as we parade through the vendors 
with marimbas or violins.
  I am proud to have the Santa Fe Farmers' Market Institute in my 
congressional district. Congratulations on two decades of serving 
farmers, ranchers, families, and the entire community with such 
bountiful products.

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