Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute adds to ABQ’s food culture with Indigenous Farmers Market

By Sara Atencio-Gonzales, The Paper. – A new Indigenous market at the Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute (SIPI) is giving Indigenous farmers, artisans, bakers and food vendors a place to connect with customers while supporting entrepreneurship and education.

The market, which launched in late July, grew out of a U.S. Department of Agriculture extension grant and a long-term vision to create an Indigenous-centered marketplace on the SIPI campus. Eduardo R. Servin, director of Grants and Sponsored Programs at SIPI, explains that the idea had been part of a strategic plan developed by the institute’s former extension director before his retirement. 

“When he retired last year, you know, I’ve been kind of picking up the pieces and the ideas that he had, and he left, and so that was the genesis of the market,” says Servin. “Hopefully this is something that the Native American community can use SIPI as a venue.” 

The market was designed to serve Indigenous producers, with vendor eligibility centered on Native identity. While organizers expect the market to continue evolving, the current focus is on providing a welcoming space for Indigenous farmers and expanding opportunities for Native-owned businesses.

“The criteria is you got to be Indigenous,” says Servin. “Our idea was to provide maybe a venue for Indigenous farmers, and then, through that, reach out to artisans and other Native American people that sell arts and crafts and all that kind of stuff.” 

Although the market is still in its first season, organizers already have plans to expand beyond produce stands. Servin emphasizes that SIPI hopes to incorporate its culinary program through cooking demonstrations and classes that showcase ingredients grown by Native farmers while giving students practical experience.

“What we envision this to be is obviously a full-blown Indigenous market,” says Servin. “For farmers to sell whatever they’re growing and the culinary component would then eventually provide demonstrations and cooking classes.” 

Beyond creating a marketplace, Servin hopes the event also introduces visitors to SIPI and its educational programs. The institute hopes the market will become a gathering place where community members can shop, explore campus and learn more about opportunities available to Native students.

“We want people to come here. To experience Native American vendors and buy all the arts and crafts that they’re selling,” says Servin. 

Looking ahead, Servin hopes the market becomes a regular fixture for Albuquerque’s Native community and eventually operates throughout the year.

“I foresee this as a positive thing, something that Albuquerque certainly can support,” says Servin. “It offers an opportunity and a venue for the Native American community to have a safe place, a venue that’s relatively inexpensive, we got a lot of space to grow.” 

The Indigenous Farmers Market is held at the Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute (9169 Coors Blvd. NW). Remaining market dates are Aug. 15, Sept. 12 and Sept. 26 from 9 a.m. to noon.