Buyers

Becoming a Wholesale Buyer

If you are a business or institution and would like to purchase from Agri-Cultura Cooperative Network, email our Produce & Distribution Manager at produce@agri-cultura.org to get on our fresh list.

The fresh list is sent out by email every Friday morning with the week’s produce availability. Customers must place their orders by 5 PM Sunday evening. We take orders on a first come first serve basis, so most customers place their order on Friday to ensure availability.

The minimum purchase order for delivery is $35. There is no minimum order for pickup. We charge a $5 fee for deliveries within 10 miles of the South Valley Economic Development Center. We deliver statewide as well, delivery fee and order minimums range based on distance.

Ordering & Delivery Schedule

The fresh list is sent out by email by 8 AM Friday morning with the following week’s produce availability.

Customers must place their orders by 5 PM Sunday evening.

Pick up or delivery can be scheduled Tuesday through Friday. We work with buyers to arrange day and time of pick up or delivery.

FAQs

I am not a business or institution. May I place orders through the Agri-Cultura Network?

Unfortunately no. We suggest that individuals and households subscribe to a CSA program such as La Cosecha CSA, shop at their local farmers market (such as La Familia Growers Market, Downtown Growers Market), or visit a local farm stand (check out Simple Revolution Farm Stand)!

When and where does the Food Hub deliver?

We deliver throughout the state of New Mexico. Orders are delivered or picked up Tuesday - Friday.

Please visit our Ordering and Delivery Schedule above for more details.

My business only purchases food produced locally, grown with organic methods and without harmful chemicals or GMO’s. How can I learn more about a farm’s growing practices?

As a farmer-owned cooperative, the Agri‑Cultura Cooperative Network upholds strict standards related to production, processing and labor practices. All of the growers, both member and ally farms, are either certified organic or grow in ways that are sustainable and follow organic practices. Farm practices include:

Integrated Pest Management
No spray or use of only organic-approved sprays
Methods of soil building through cover cropping, composting, and use of organic amendments
Strict adherence to food safety principles
Provide a living wage and safe working environment for all staff
Community and environmental leadership through growing operation

Buyers are encouraged to learn about each farm’s production methods by visiting Our Farmers page or contacting them directly.

What should I do if I’m not happy with my order?

Buyers must notify the Agri-Cultura Cooperative Network Produce & Distribution Manager at produce@agri-cultura.org within 24 hours of delivery should any part of an order be incomplete or damaged. Buyers must report concerns or complaints immediately, and include a photo of the product in the original packaging to ensure issues can be resolved.

I’m looking for a specific farm or product.

A list of product categories can be found on the Food page. Please contact and let us know if you are looking for a specific item. We’re here to help connect you with the farms.

What about food safety?

The Agri-Cultura Cooperative Network is USDA Harmonized GAP+ Certified. Agri-Cultura emphasizes food safety as well as its strong commitment to product quality. Our Food Safety Program includes:

Regular on-farm food safety inspections covering water use, sanitization of harvest tools and equipment, produce washing procedures, organic and sustainable growing practices, farmer training processes
Follow-up meetings with farmers throughout the season to provide technical assistance and monitoring
All produce sold through the network is processed at the Mixing Bowl, an FDA registered commercial kitchen, at the South Valley Economic Development Center. It is packaged to customer specifications and delivered. Most produce was still growing within two days of delivery to the customer.
All produce sold through Agri-Cultura Network is covered under our $3 million liability insurance.

Why work with a Food Hub?

The Agricultura Cooperative Network was created to address a need in our communities around the South Valley area of Albuquerque, New Mexico. We provide aggregation, processing and distribution of the freshest seasonal produce directly from New Mexico farmers to businesses and institutions, working with each farmer and buyer at a personal level to create long-lasting, sustainable relationships. This benefits New Mexico’s farmers, buyers, our environment and communities. Here’s how:

The Buyers

When you order from Agri-Cultura Network you are purchasing extremely fresh, ripe, delicious seasonal produce available. Produce is often picked just 1-2 days before it reaches the customer.
larger quantities of locally-grown produce available made possible through aggregation
consistent, quality products
Buyers have access to many more unique varieties of vegetables and fruits than are typically available in the commodity market and that are highly prized for flavor, not just whether they hold up in cold storage or not!). These include traditional heritage varieties specific to our Southwest climate stewarded by generations of local farmers.
Building relationships with local farms
Your purchase is an investment in equitable food systems

The Farmers

Through aggregation, these small farms are able to collectively meet the large demands of institutions and wholesale outlets that would not be attainable by one small farm alone. For many of the farmers, ACN provides outlets and a way to distribute their products that otherwise would not be possible.
The Agri-Cultura Network works closely with the farmers to assist in building the capacity of their farms through food safety training and direct applications, training in quality control of produce, and other forms of technical assistance.
Empowers farmers to nurture business growth for their own farms.
As a food hub, ACN provides shared infrastructure for local farms to increase sales, reduce labor costs and food waste.
Selling through Agri-Cultura Network opens up new markets for farmers to deal directly with businesses and institutional buyers who seek local products, and who purchase large volumes of food but typically do not have the time to shop at farmers markets or farm stands.
Farmers own their product through the supply chain: their production methods are transparent and food is traceable to the farm. Food is valued and treated not as a commodity but as a life source at all stages in the value chain.

The Environment

Fewer “food miles” from farm to customer significantly decreases carbon emissions.
Our farmers are committed to protecting our water supply using healthy soil principles, maintaining acequia water rights and conserving water use
Supporting local farms helps decrease the use of synthetic fertilizers and support the integration of more organic growing practices into the food value chain.
Small farms support greater plant and wildlife diversity, pollinator habitat, and farming practices which steward and build healthy soils instead of degrading them

The Community

Purchasing local food from Agri-Cultura Network…

Keeps food dollars in the South Valley and in New Mexico
Supports development of farm capacity
Increases access to locally grown produce through widespread distribution, making it available in our institutions as well as ACN’s non-profit arm, La Cosecha CSA
Supports ACN and La Cosecha CSA in providing nutrition education and community events
Supports economic development through the traditional and innovative agricultural practices of our farmers, therefore strengthening the agrarian and cultural heritage of our land and its residents.
Supports local farms by providing them and their workers a livable wage
Increases food security in New Mexico
Stewards the environment
Creates jobs and boosts the local economy