Newsroom | Community Health

At Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico, the mission to improve health goes far beyond the doctor’s office. Through the Blue Impact℠ grant program, BCBSNM works with local nonprofits to address some of the state’s most urgent needs, such as reducing hunger and increasing access to healthy food for children, families and seniors throughout New Mexico.

Building healthy communities with YES Housing

For more than 35 years, YES Housing has been a force for positive change in New Mexico, integrating affordable housing with wraparound support services and food access. With support from the Blue Impact Grant, YES Housing’s Healthy Living Initiative continues to expand. The initiative provides residents with community gardens, nutrition education, cooking classes and health screenings, helping more than 2,000 people build healthier lives.

Recent Blue Impact grant funding enabled YES Housing to hire a full-time service coordinator at their Hobbs properties, launch community gardens, offer multi-generational health and wellness programming and lower food insecurity among residents. This holistic approach means families not only have stable housing, but also the resources and knowledge to thrive.

“BCBSNM’s collaboration has been transformational,” says Juan Lopez, manager at YES Housing. “Their support allows us to reach more residents with the services they need, from food access to health education, so families don’t have to choose between paying rent and putting healthy food on the table.”

Fraction Farms: Growing more, giving more

At Fraction Farms, a 100% volunteer-run operation, a Blue Impact grant is fueling an ambitious mission: to donate over 25,000 pounds of fresh, locally grown produce to New Mexico food pantries, schools and nonprofits this year. With last year’s “Drive for 25” campaign already yielding over 22,500 pounds of fruits and vegetables, the farm is expanding to grow even more, adding new berry patches, extending crop rows and increasing orchard capacity.

Fraction Farms’ unique model delivers fresh produce within 72 hours of harvest to trusted nonprofit partners, maximizes nutrition and ensures food reaches the families who need it most. The farm also hosts free field trips and nutrition education for local students, empowering the next generation to understand the value of healthy food and giving back.

Storehouse West: Feeding more with less

Sandoval County’s Storehouse West is a lifeline for thousands of low-income families, especially as food insecurity rises and funding tightens. With a 42% increase in clients last year and reductions in food bank allotments, a Blue Impact grant is helping Storehouse West meet growing demand by supplementing groceries with essential items like eggs, milk, protein and healthy snacks, ensuring families, children and unhoused clients receive a full week’s worth of nutritious food.

Volunteers at Storehouse West provide personalized, dignified support, knowing their clients by name and building trust with every visit. The grant also funds critical infrastructure, like security cameras and a defibrillator, to protect both volunteers and the organization’s vital resources.

A commitment to community health

The Blue Impact program reflects BCBSNM’s ongoing commitment to addressing the social determinants of health and building stronger, healthier communities. “Good health starts with having access to nutritious food,” BCBSNM President Janice Torrez says. “Our Blue Impact grantees are on the front lines, making sure New Mexicans not only have healthy meals but also the support and education they need to thrive. We are proud to partner with these incredible organizations to build a healthier future for our state.”