Our Story
SQUASH BLOSSOM'S MISSION is to provide a dependable income stream for local farmers,
bring healthier food to our community, and strengthen our local economy.
Squash Blossom is a social enterprise. We work to protect and preserve traditional, low-impact farming methods,
and prioritize above all else, fairness for every entity in the farmer ➟ eater value chain.
The name Squash Blossom came to us because the sweet cheerful flowers are one of chefs’ favorite local crops to feature on their menus when in season, but must be delivered and prepared within three hours of harvest! No other food distribution company has this capacity. We are happy to provide the freshest, highest-quality, specialty local products that everyone loves. Not only are we the only distribution company able to sell the delicate squash blossoms, we also see our business as the squash blossom compared to the industrialized food movement. We are small, fragile, only local, and the quality we stand for is beyond comparison.
MEET OUR FOUNDER
Nina Ladegaard founded Squash Blossom after years of working in food and farming both in her home state of New Mexico, and around the globe. Her experience in small-scale agriculture ranges from growing, to distribution, managing and vending at farmers' markets, and many years of program management in the non-profit sector. Nina's passion is to make small-scale, family farming viable for generations to come. She sees the work of Squash Blossom as a way to protect the earth, preserve culture and diversity, strengthen the local economy, and imbue health for all eaters.
AWARD WINNING COMPANY
- City of Santa Fe's Small Business of the Year, 2018.
- Small Business Administration's New Mexico Home-Based Business of the Year, 2018.
- City of Santa Fe's Mayoral Award for Sustainability and Food Security, 2016.
Thank you to Genevieve Russell of Story Portrait Media for the beautiful photos taken at our local farms for our website