Youth Food Action Project

The YFAP links youth gardening/farming sites in Albuquerque, NM that are working in collaboration with each other under the umbrella of a USDA CFP grant in association with the YMCA of Central New Mexico and ACHIEVE (Action Communities for Health, Innovation and EnVironmental changE). The blog serves as a learning and gathering space for youth to publish and discuss their relationships to food and engage each other while working for food equity and community health.

Monday, October 31, 2011

The USDA Community Food Project Conference was hosted in Albuquerque this year. It was exciting to see all of the innovative projects that are happening across the country. One organization was based in Hawaii, and another in Alaska. It was a pleasure to finally meet Katina Hanks and Liz Tuckermanty from the USDA. The conference proved to be a successful networking opportunity. I had the pleasure of taking a group of people to sample some authentic New Mexican cuisine at the Ben Michael Restaurant located across the street from the hotel hosting the conference. Our party had an excellent time and was truly entertained by owner and chef Ben Michael. Ben was able to talk about the city each individual was from, he served a delicious lunch, and played the piano and sang a song to the ladies sitting at the table. The entire group raved about the food, service, and entertainment.

Thank you Ben Michael!

Richard Brandt

YFAP Director