Food
With rural living comes a food desert. Access to grocery stores requires driving. Even a visit to Gallegos General Store is a drive for those not living in the village of Villanueva. The center is doing it's best to help those in need of food. We have a food pantry, are a commodities distribution point, and host a weekly (seasonal) farmers market in two locations. We also recently erected a hoop house just beyond the basketball court and more details about how that will impact our food supply is forthcoming.
Six hundred community families were served from July thru September 2026. The food is donated from The Food Depot located in Santa Fe. Deliveries are made to the Pantry on the first and third Tuesdays of each month and the pantry opens at 10am on those days. Otherwise the pantry is open Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 9-4 and Saturday 9-1. Monetary donations are being accepted to purchase food items or you can add items to your grocery visit and bring those items on any day we are open. Shelf stable items are always welcomed.
Deliveries from The Food Depot have decreased as they are getting less donated to them. Plus more and more of our community will lose benefits especially at the beginning of the new year when work requirements kick in.
The program to get donated dog and cat food has a waiting list. If anyone wants to buy either we can put a list together for those in need and contact them when we have some donations. If the bag is big we can divide it into smaller bags here at the center. Feel free to drop off a bag during our open hours.
Commodity Supplemental Food Program
USDA Food Boxes for Seniors
Distributed every other month to eligible seniors.
This program is for residents aged 60+ who meet income requirements.
Income must be at or below $1316/month for individuals. Add $468/month for each additional household member.
Please visit the Pantry at the Center during their open hours and ask the Pantry Manager Becca for an application. Bring your identification with you.
Community Food Pantry
The pantry is open during regular hours. Sign in is required. No ID is required.
Deliveries from The Food Pantry in Santa Fe comes the first and third Tuesday of each month. That does delay opening of the pantry until 10am on those days as the delivery is received and sorted.
Weekly Farmers Market
The center is honored to host a weekly farmers market on Sundays from 9am to 1pm around the basketball court. WIC and SNAP are accepted. Many of the vendors are local to our community.
There is also a second market on Thursday at the San Miguel land grant in Ribera from 4-6.
Senior Center Lunch
The Senior Center in San Miguel/Ribera area (279 NM-3) across from the San Miguel Church (big white church) offers a Monday - Friday Senior Meal with a suggested donation of $1.50 for seniors 60 and older.
Lunch is served congregate-style from 11am to 12:30pm. The senior center is open 7:30am to 3:30pm where you can watch TV and engage with other community members.
The menu is posted on this website and copies can be obtained at the Senior Center.
The senior center offers transportation services, home-delivered meals, and health promotion programs.