Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Dec. 1, 2025
CONTACT
Julia Sclafani
Public Relations Specialist
Email: ECECD-PIO@ececd.nm.gov
Mobile: (505) 699–5937
1120 Paseo De Peralta
Santa Fe, NM 87501
About half of the 24 early learning centers being honored achieved advanced awards
SANTA FE – A record-breaking number of awardees will be honored Monday at the National Farm to Cafeteria Conference in Albuquerque for their efforts to provide statewide New Mexico-grown food to children and seniors.
The Golden Chile Awards – established by the New Mexico Grown Coalition in 2021 – celebrate statewide efforts aimed at promoting good nutrition and supporting the state’s farming economy. The Early Childhood Education and Care Department (ECECD) is among the state agencies, community organizations and individuals working together to strengthen community food systems across New Mexico.
“We are so pleased to honor all the participants who have helped New Mexico create a robust local food system that expands the market for farmers and ranchers while providing nutritious food to children and seniors,” said ECECD Deputy Secretary Kendal Chavez. “For attendees of the National Farm to Cafeteria Conference, it is a great opportunity to see for themselves the people behind the success of New Mexico’s nation-leading food initiative.”
The New Mexico Grown Coalition established four recognition tiers for the Golden Chile Awards – Seed, Sprout, Blossom, and Golden Chile – to honor all levels of involvement.
The 2025 Golden Chile awardees include the following child care and early learning providers:
Golden Chile (mature and fruitful program):
- A Gold Star Academy & Child Development Center in Farmington
- Christina Kent Early Childhood Center in Albuquerque
- Future Generations, LLC, in Clovis
Blossom (program reaching maturity):
- Boys & Girls Club of Las Cruces
- Count Your Blessings Preschool in Moriarty
- East Gate Kids Early Learning Center in Albuquerque
- ECHO Aztec Preschool
- Kidzo Children’s Christian Development Center in Clovis
- Kingdom Builders Preschool & Daycare in Albuquerque
- La Esperanza Preschool in Rio Rancho
- My Kiddos Too in Roswell
- New Mexico Early Learning Academy in Albuquerque/East Mountains
- Western Heights Learning Center in Albuquerque
Sprout (program growing strong):
- Arcoiris Development Center in Sunland Park
- Kids Kountry Place in Las Cruces
- La Vida Felicidad Early Learning Center in Los Lunas
- Pueblo of Isleta Head Start & Child Care
- Region 9 Head Start & Early Head Start in Ruidoso
- Southwest Child Care Early Learning Center in Albuquerque
Seed (program has potential):
- Little Castle Learning and Development Center in Artesia
- Little Footprints in Hatch
- New Mexico Children First in Sunland Park
- Precious Moments Early Learning Center in Albuquerque
- The Hive Education in Sunland Park
This is a republication of a New Mexico Department of Health press release. To view the complete list of winners, including schools, senior centers, food hubs, and food producers, see the original press release here: “Schools, senior centers & farmers honored for promoting New Mexico-grown food.”
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Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham launched the New Mexico Early Childhood Education and Care Department (ECECD) in 2020, making New Mexico among the first states to consolidate all early childhood programs and services under a single cabinet-level agency. Under this administration, ECECD has led the nation by expanding access to free New Mexico PreK, overseeing the largest investment in early childhood infrastructure in state history, and implementing cost-free child care for a majority of New Mexico families. Learn more about how ECECD supports children, families, and the early childhood professionals that serve our communities at nmececd.org. On Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram as @NewMexicoECECD.