Juanita Lopez had been working as a farm manager for about 30 years when she decided it was time to try something different. She had always wanted to be the owner of her own business but had been unable to do it thus far because she felt she needed the stability of her job to raise her five children.
One day, it was finally time: her children were grown so she could take the risk and start her food stand. The first year, she continued to work while she began to slowly build her business. She noticed that there was no Mexican food vendors at the market where she used to sell produce for the farm, and she knew that her artisanal cooking could be very successful.
At first, many doubted and even attempted to dissuade her by telling her that she would have to work long hours, or that she’d get tired too quickly, or that she “wouldn’t even earn more than $300 on your first day.” However, Juanita was determined and pressed onward anyway… and ended up earning $600 on her very first day!
She knew that food from Michoacán, Mexico, her home state, is traditionally gluten-free and often vegetarian. She switched from using the traditional lard to cooking with vegetable oil. Her biggest draw was and still is the fact that she makes everything herself: the salsas, the tortillas, the stews, etc. All of her ingredients are also sourced locally. Juanita quickly experienced success thanks to her delicious, high-quality homemade food, and during her second year of selling food at the Bellingham farmer’s market, she was among the top three vendors! Juanita is an incredible example of food justice in the community and her food stand is a testament to her hard work, vision and willpower.
When she reflects on her trajectory and her future, Juanita is amazed as to how small everything began. She is now getting ready to start vending in a food truck, and hopes to open a café in the future where she can prepare all her food and have her costumers hang out and enjoy a good sit-down meal.
You can find Juanita’s food stand at the Bellingham Farmers Market on Railroad Avenue on the following dates:
12 May 2018 . 19 May 2018, 26 May 2018, 2 Jun 2018, 9 Jun 2018, 6 Jun 2018, 23 Jun 2018, 30 Jun 2018, 7 Jul 2018, 14 Jul 2018,
21 Jul 2018, 28 Jul 2018, 4 Aug 2018, 11 Aug 2018, 18 Aug 2018, 25 Aug 2018, 1 Sep 2018, 8 Sep 2018, 15 Sep 2018, 22 Sep 2018,
29 Sep 2018, 6 Oct 2018, 13 Oct 2018, 20 Oct 2018, 27 Oct 2018.
One day, it was finally time: her children were grown so she could take the risk and start her food stand. The first year, she continued to work while she began to slowly build her business. She noticed that there was no Mexican food vendors at the market where she used to sell produce for the farm, and she knew that her artisanal cooking could be very successful.
At first, many doubted and even attempted to dissuade her by telling her that she would have to work long hours, or that she’d get tired too quickly, or that she “wouldn’t even earn more than $300 on your first day.” However, Juanita was determined and pressed onward anyway… and ended up earning $600 on her very first day!
She knew that food from Michoacán, Mexico, her home state, is traditionally gluten-free and often vegetarian. She switched from using the traditional lard to cooking with vegetable oil. Her biggest draw was and still is the fact that she makes everything herself: the salsas, the tortillas, the stews, etc. All of her ingredients are also sourced locally. Juanita quickly experienced success thanks to her delicious, high-quality homemade food, and during her second year of selling food at the Bellingham farmer’s market, she was among the top three vendors! Juanita is an incredible example of food justice in the community and her food stand is a testament to her hard work, vision and willpower.
When she reflects on her trajectory and her future, Juanita is amazed as to how small everything began. She is now getting ready to start vending in a food truck, and hopes to open a café in the future where she can prepare all her food and have her costumers hang out and enjoy a good sit-down meal.
You can find Juanita’s food stand at the Bellingham Farmers Market on Railroad Avenue on the following dates:
12 May 2018 . 19 May 2018, 26 May 2018, 2 Jun 2018, 9 Jun 2018, 6 Jun 2018, 23 Jun 2018, 30 Jun 2018, 7 Jul 2018, 14 Jul 2018,
21 Jul 2018, 28 Jul 2018, 4 Aug 2018, 11 Aug 2018, 18 Aug 2018, 25 Aug 2018, 1 Sep 2018, 8 Sep 2018, 15 Sep 2018, 22 Sep 2018,
29 Sep 2018, 6 Oct 2018, 13 Oct 2018, 20 Oct 2018, 27 Oct 2018.
To order food for the conference:
https://goo.gl/forms/f52TtgkK7OtCfK443
Payment methods:
Venmo: @Juanitas-Whatcom
Cash: ATM Machine located in Miller Hall
https://goo.gl/forms/f52TtgkK7OtCfK443
Payment methods:
Venmo: @Juanitas-Whatcom
Cash: ATM Machine located in Miller Hall