ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The Indian Pueblo Cultural Center has a new way to help feed families in need.

Monique Fragua, Indian Pueblo Cultural Center COO, says grant money has allowed them to buy a refrigerated van – and they are now coordinating with farms on pueblos to transport fresh produce to hungry people on other pueblos.

“We’re going to Isleta Pueblo, Laguna Pueblo, and even Canyoncito,” Fragua said. “It’s going directly from our refrigerated van right into the back of the truck and into the home.”

It’s called the FreshRX program. While it’s the first year the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center has been involved, they predict it won’t be the last.

“Our hope is that this is going to be a bigger story that we’re going to tell as part of the Entrepreneur Complex that is going to open next summer,” Fragua said.

That complex, on the north side of the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, will include a hub for food packaging and distribution for future years.

“We want people to have access to healthy foods,” Fragua said.

According to Fragua, the new commercial kitchen will be utilized by farmers, business owners, and others trying to turn their agriculture and culinary skills into sustainable sources of income.

“The impact that it is having – not only to the neighborhood, to the state, but also back in our pueblo communities – is super important, and I’m proud to be a part of that,” Fragua said.