Slow Food Satna Fe Edition - January 2026

January 3, 2026

AI Summary

5 min read

🎙️ The Voices & The Context

The Format: This radio interview on a gardening and food-focused program dives into New Mexico's food systems innovation through expert discussions, blending policy insights with real-world examples in an informative and collaborative tone.
The Format: This is an interview with hosts guiding structured conversations among guests.
The Key Players:
- Hosts - Nina Rosenberg and Lyssa Johnson: Knowledgeable Slow Food Santa Fe leaders who steer the dialogue with poised questions on local food security.
- Guest - Erin Ortigoza: Program Manager for New Mexico Economic Development Department's (EDD) Food, Hunger, and Agriculture Program, pioneering the Governor's Food Initiative since 2022.
- Guest - Jamie Chester: Food Value Chain Coordination Representative at EDD, acting as a community navigator for food businesses.
- Guest - Julie Cranston: Executive Director of Vita Mejor Capital, administering funds and providing technical assistance to food enterprises.

Continue reading the full summary in the app — free to try.

Read Full Summary →

Free • No credit card required

Listen to Audio Summary Open in App

What you'll learn

1 (00:00) **🎙️ Introduction: Erin Ortigoza, Jamie Chester, Julie Cranston**
2 (03:27) **Guest Self-Introductions and Program Overview**
3 (04:54) **Economic Development Department's Role in Food Initiative**
4 (08:08) **Financial Tools and Technical Assistance for Small/Mid-Scale Enterprises**
5 (16:05) **Workforce Development Challenges and Success Stories**
6 (18:09) **Strengthening In-State Market Channels**
7 (20:40) **New Mexico's Leadership in Food Systems**

+ Full timestamped outline available in the app

Show Notes

Slow Food Santa Fe's Lissa Johnson and Nina Rosenberg talk with representatives of the Food, Hunger, and Agriculture Program, part of the Food Initiative, working under the State Economic Development Department: Program Manager Erin Ortigoza and Food Value Chain Coordination Rep Jayme Chester. We’re also joined by Julie Cranston, Executive Director of Vida Mejor Capital, a New Mexico non-profit established to empower New Mexico’s small businesses through technical assistance and equitable access to capital.