Evelin Gómez works at the Bound Bar inside a Vallarta supermarket in Carson, a place where Mexican culture works as the company's beating heart. In the last week, said Gómez, his clients and co -workers have been shaken by ice immigration raids, while life at the same time continues inside: buyers who sail for dry chiles and pushing shopping cars full of freshly made tortillas and roasted meat.
“I am very happy to interact with people who are really going through things that are really difficult at this time,” Gomez said, while serving customers. “I have even had customers who enter and have told me: 'The American dream no longer exists.'”
Vallarta, the markets of Northgate González and others are among the outstanding success stories of immigrants in the food industry in southern California. Property and operated by immigrant families, chains are among the largest Mexican supermarket brands in the country and also store key ingredients for other Latin American kitchens.
During the last week and a half, the stores, along with many local restaurants, have talked about their neighbors in the midst of ice protests and protests, and have also found new ways of supporting customers who are looking for a safe way to obtain their groceries.
“We believe that everyone deserves to feel safe, welcome and valued,” reads a Instagram publication of the supermarkets of Vallarta on Thursday. “Our doors remain open to all and continue committed to promoting a warm and respectful space where people can meet, regardless of the background or circumstances.”
In an Instagram post, Northgate said the reports of raids in their stores were not based. “We are also working in close collaboration with trusted community organizations to understand how we can offer better support. I have the assurance that we will help in any way we can,” said the publication.
The employees of the Vallarta supermarket in Carson serve fresh and ice cream to customers on Friday.
(Lauren NG / Los Angeles Times)
Northgate's first market was inaugurated in Anaheim by Don Miguel González Jiménez, a Mexican immigrant, in 1980. Five years later, Mexican immigrant Enrique González opened Vallarta Carnadería in Van Nuys, the first iteration of the Vallarta supermarkets. Today, both chains are still owned by their founding families, including more than 45 family members representing the second and third generation working in Northgate.
Like many local stores and restaurants, some Vallarta locations are Inform slower businesses As more customers choose to stay at home while the ice raids extend throughout the county.
“The way we meet the needs of our community is to remain open: food is essential and, often, brings happiness, joy,” said Alexandra Bolans, third generation owner and member of the González family and director of Marketing Marketing of Northgate brand.
Unlike many companies in Los Angeles, which have been forced to limit the hours of operation to meet the curfew of the center or are closing early for the safety of their employees and customers, Northgate and Vallarta are operating at full hours in their locations, from 7 am to 10 pm, in an effort to provide customers with a sensation of normality, amid a climate of uncertainty and fear, the companies said.
“If you get a craving late at night, you want some tacos at 9:30 pm, our doors are open,” said Lizette Gómez, Marketing Director of Vallarta.
Vallarta supermarkets also offer free or discount delivery to Ubereats, Instacart and Dordash, while Northgate Markets is renouncing their delivery rate on the sidewalk and plans to match client donations worth $ 50,000 to raise funds for local education and faith -based organizations.
These supermarket chains are just some of the dozens, possibly hundreds, of food companies based in the southern California that have used social networks to express their support to the immigrant communities of the area in the last week and a half, expressing many of the same feelings shared by anti-anti-art protesters.
Christy Vega, owner of Casa Vega in Sherman Oaks, has spoken firmly in support of immigrants since the ice raids began.
(Mariah Tauger / Los Angeles Times)
“We will never let the evil will of a sad and malignant despot dictates how we treat each other,” he said The Greyhound Bar & Grill In Highland Park.
“Immigrant experience in this country is too often hostility instead of gratitude,” he said Artisanal barbecue In Lincoln Heights.
Christy Vega, owner of the Mexican Restaurant of celebrities Casa Vega In Sherman Oaks, he has been an open ICE critic since the recent raids began and published on social networks that show herself attending a “No Kings” protest on Saturday.
“I protested in honor of my Mexican immigrant father, Rafael Evaristo Vega, and the people in which Casa Vega was built since 1956,” Vega wrote on Instagram on Sunday. “I will always remember my roots and always fight for the immigrant community without voice.”
Other prominent local leaders of the food industry, such as Valerie Gordon, chef and owner of Valerie Confections in Glendale, have used their platforms to help other business owners to understand their rights during a meeting with ice.
Gordon encouraged others to “label the private areas of their business”, train the staff “not to speak with ice” and give Red cards to “the most vulnerable members of their staff” in a Instagram publication Friday.
Many food companies are also organizing fund collection events, donation systems and other tactics to support immigrant neighbors, customers and even companies. Santa Ana's high low market has begun Sell the fruity cups of Mr. DiablitoA fruit supplier approved by the city for a long time has stopped serving after the wave of recent raids and protests.
Petitgrain Boulangerie in Santa Monica will give a free drip coffee to customers who show that “donate to ACL or any other legal rights organization,” said co -founder Clémence of Lutz on a Friday Instagram reos. The Michelada Mix brand had a “No ice event” event of music and live food on Friday night, with all income to the Law Center of Immigrant Defenders. The Mexican restaurant Cha Cha Chá in the district of the Arts recently debuted a policy of “pay what you can” for its full food menu.
“We are very afraid of what is happening, and only to be able to give at least [customers] A smile, “Gomez said in Vallarta in Carson.” While we are there to at least give them some kind of hope, which is really dark at this time, but hopefully it will be good at the end. “
