Hacienda CDC launching new Latino Food Vendor project
Hacienda CDC’s Latino Food Vendor Incubator project, popularly known as Micro Mercantes, has roots as an informal cooperative of Latino tamale vendors. Photo courtesy of Hacienda CDC
Portland, OR. — Farmers market patrons can support not only a local business, but a local economic development initiative, by simply purchasing a lunch this summer. Beginning in May, Hacienda Community Development Corporation (CDC) will publicly launch the new Latino Food Vendor Incubator project, a social enterprise supporting micro-business development for low-income Latinos.
Aspiring microentrepreneurs will gain practical experience and financial support through catering sales and at local farmers markets, while simultaneously receiving training in a classroom setting.
“My children inspire me to be successful despite a number of obstacles, so here I am fighting,” says Irma Orduña, a participant of the program. “My dream is to open my own restaurant called El Ranchito, and that seems within reach now.”
The Incubator project, popularly known as Micro Mercantes, has roots as an informal cooperative of Latino tamale vendors. However, a high demand for culturally-specific training opportunities, as well as a large market for local food in Portland, has led Hacienda CDC to restructure the program to serve more entrepreneurs. Participants will now follow a structured three-year curriculum and culminate in the soft-launch of their own business. This model opens the program up to a stream of participants instead of serving a static group.
The initial launch of the Latino Food Vendor Incubator project is supported by a three-year grant from M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust, with the vision of becoming a self-sustaining program by the conclusion of the grant. The first class includes four tamaleros, or tamale vendors, and one Colombian arepa vendor.
- Beginning May 5, Inocencia and her brother José will serve tamales from a recipe out of Puebla. Find them in Hollywood Farmers Market (4420 NE Hancock St., Portland).
- Beginning May 6, Fernando and his wife Elizabeth will work the King Farmers Market (4815 NE 7th Ave) dishing out savory Colombian arepas.
- Beginning June 2, find Paula at the St. Johns Farmers Market (N Lombard & N Philadelphia) serving a variety of tamales oaxaqueñas.
- Beginning June 3, Graciela and her daughter-in-law María will be at the Montavilla Farmers Market (7600 block SE Stark St.) serving another version of tamales from Puebla.
- Beginning June 5, find Irma and her daughter Lupe at the Oregon Health & Science University Farmers Market (700 SW Campus Dr.) serving tamale sand her famous tomatillo salsa, another recipe from Puebla, Mexico.
For more information, visit www.haciendacdc.org.
Este artículo también está disponible en / This post is also available in: Spanish
Related posts:
Short URL: http://www.elhispanicnews.com/?p=3905
Posted by julie
on May 3 2012. Filed under Local, Local News.
You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0.
You can leave a response or trackback to this entry