Mercado’s ‘Taste’ features emerging entrepreneurs

See why this year’s ‘Taste of Latinoamérica’ at the Portland Mercado featured more than just food, at their fun fiesta …

In outer East Portland, the Portland Mercado is alive with activity, as this year’s “Taste of Latinoamérica” festival gets underway.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton

At a location unique in all of the metro area, the Portland Mercado in the Foster-Powell neighborhood again held a community party on Saturday, September 7. It’s called “Taste of Latinoamérica”, and it provides both culinary and cultural experiences, while creating economic development opportunities for Latinx entrepreneurs.

It’s good to see folks having fun, say Portland Mercado Communication & Event Manager Ambar Solarte, and Director Shea Flaherty Betin.

“Here at our fourth annual ‘Taste of Latinoamérica’ festival we’re highlighting many cultures from around the globe, with 20 additional vendors on-site,” explained the Mercado’s Director, Shea Flaherty Betin.

This year, it’s not only about the food, he said, “Today, we have arts and craft vendors who are in our Mercado Incubator Program, which allows them to show and sell their craft products,” Flaherty Betin told East Portland News.

Mercado Business Incubator client Ana Yancy of Yancy Handmade shows off some of the woven craft she has for sale.

“It’s true, when many of people think of the Mercado, they think of great Latinx foods – but we’re much more than that,” Flaherty Betin commented. “Our business incubator program offers services to a wide variety of new entrepreneurs, from all walks of life, different backgrounds, and different, primarily-Latinx countries.”

So, in addition to the cuisine, drinks, art, crafts, live music, Forró dance classes, photo-booth, and kids’ activities, folks browsed the many vendors offering arts and crafts – including paper crafts, indigenous projects, and woven products.

The Portland Mercado food cart section fills with diners at the “Taste of Latinoamérica” fiesta.

Young Vivian looks to be enjoying the burrito held by her mom, Kelley Deltit.

“The best part is to see everyone together as a community, having a fun party together,” Flaherty Betin said.

Huehca Omeyocan Aztec Dance entertains with a cultural performance.

Learn more about what’s going on, right now, at the Portland Mercado at their website: CLICK HERE.

Comments are closed.