South Valley activist recognized with James Beard leadership award - Albuquerque Business First
In addition, four New Mexican restaurants and chefs were named semifinalists in the 2024 James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards. Helga Garcia-Garza, a longtime food equity activist and executive director of Agri-Cultura Network in South Valley, has been awarded the Leadership Award for Food Security and Access by the James Beard Foundation. The award was given to Garcia-Gaza, who has previously received the Rachel's Network Catalyst Award and Castenea Fellow. She also serves as the board chair of the New Mexico Food and Agriculture Policy Council. Garcia-Garcia-Gaza is the daughter of an Indigenous female activist.
Published : a month ago by Drew Goretzka in Business
The James Beard Foundation announced Wednesday that Helga Garcia-Garza, a longtime food equity activist, has been awarded the Leadership Award for Food Security and Access.
Garcia-Garza is the executive director of Agri-Cultura Network, a South Valley-based, farmer-owned co-op that aims to provide local produce to its community. The organization’s programs include helping New Mexican farmers sell their produce, training on more sustainable farming practices and fostering community through cooking and cultural events.
This isn’t the first time Garcia-Gaza, the daughter of an Indigenous female activist, has been recognized for her work. She’s previously been awarded the Rachel’s Network Catalyst Award and been named a Castenea Fellow. She also serves as the board chair of the New Mexico Food and Agriculture Policy Council.
“I’m a frontline community member, I’m an activist. We come from the teachings that are intergenerational, that come from the platform that we speak for ourselves. From the platform of the self-determination of people,” Garcia-Garza told Albuquerque Business First. “This is another recognition for my leadership skills and what I have been doing.
“It's a big honor for our community," she continued. "Because, really, everything in my leadership has been developed by our community.”
In addition to Garcia-Garza being named as an honoree, the finalists for the 2024 James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards were announced.
Of the 10 restaurants and chefs previously named as semifinalists, only four made the final cut:
Topics: Activism