We are proud to announce Chalise Fiol has been named a 2023 NACLAB Pete Garcia Community Economic Development Fellow!

The Pete Garcia Community Economic Development Fellowship is a year-long leadership training program for Latino leaders from around the country. This year, 18 professionals were selected for this prestigious program that aims to cultivate future Latino leaders.

Established in 2010, the Fellowship was developed to ensure that the next generation of Latinx leaders build practical, personal and professional skills needed to fill the increasing leadership gap in the community development field. It provides mid-career Latinx practitioners with specialized professional development training, preparing them to become strong executive director candidates at non-profits that serve Latino communities.

Chalise currently serves as Hacienda's Economic Opportunity Program Manager. Over the course of 11 years, Chalise has served communities and staff alike, sharing her expertise and dedication to creating economic opportunities for everyone. We celebrate this outstanding accomplishment. We appreciate Chalise’s dedication, passion and leadership and are grateful for her impact in our organization and community!

This year’s title program sponsor is the JPMorgan Chase Foundation with additional support from Capital One.

About NALCAB

The National Association for Latino Community Asset Builders (NALCAB) is the hub of a national network of 200 member organizations that are anchor institutions in geographically and ethnically diverse Latino communities in 45 states, Washington DC and Puerto Rico. NALCAB supports its member institutions through funding, training, research and advocacy, enabling them to invest in their communities by building affordable housing, ensuring equitable neighborhood development, supporting small business growth, and providing financial counseling on issues including credit building and homeownership. As a grantmaker and US Treasury certified CDFI lender with offices in San Antonio and Washington DC, the NALCAB Network serves hundreds of thousands of low- and moderate-income people, advancing economic equity and inclusivity in the communities we serve.

Construction is underway on six prototype homes headed to Oregon communities this summer

PORTLAND, Ore.— Inside a sprawling warehouse at the Port of Portland’s Terminal 2, a potential solution to ease Oregon’s housing shortage is swiftly taking shape. Workers are assembling six prototype modular homes using Oregon-produced mass timber that will soon house pre-selected families and individuals in four communities (Madras, Otis, Portland and Talent). Led by Hacienda CDC, the pilot project (among the first of its kind in the nation) aims to demonstrate how modular housing built with mass timber could provide a more efficient, faster and less expensive way to build housing. The pilot was spearheaded by $5 million in funding from the Oregon Legislature.

On Friday, Hacienda offered a first look at the prototype homes, called Mass Casitas, to city and state officials, including Oregon Governor Tina Kotek and Senator Jeff Merkley, community leaders, and the media at the Port of Portland’s Marine Terminal 2.

“We need more homes now to address Oregon’s urgent housing crisis, and traditional systems alone will not be enough to get the job done. Mass Casitas is innovative because we’re combining mass timber with modular single-family home construction to develop a process that could help Oregon add more high-quality housing, faster,” said Ernesto Fonseca, CEO of Hacienda.

State economists have said that Oregon has a shortage of 110,000 housing units for current residents at all income levels. To accommodate future growth, the state may need to build more than 580,000 homes by 2040. The greatest need is among residents with the lowest incomes. 

“I was excited to advocate for $5 million dollars to support this vision in its infancy, and I’m thrilled today to see its first major step forward. The Mass Casitas project is proof that, together, we can act with the urgency people across our state are demanding. Bold ideas, concrete solutions, disciplined follow through. That’s how we can deliver results,” said Kotek.

The vision of Mass Casitas extends beyond housing, Fonseca said. With additional public and private investment, the model has the potential to accelerate the growth of Oregon’s mass timber industry and create new jobs — and in the process, help to revitalize former logging communities and increase economic opportunities for Oregonians, especially in rural communities and communities of color.

Visitors who toured the Mass Casitas production site on Friday saw the six prototype homes under construction. Once complete, the homes will be donated and delivered to nonprofit organizations in four Oregon communities by June 2023. The nonprofits will select which individuals and families will live in the homes. 

The six prototype homes (which range in size between 1-3 bedrooms) are headed for these four Oregon communities: 

• 1 home is going to Madras (Jefferson County); partner is Casa of Oregon

• 1 home is going to Otis (Lincoln County); partner is Cascade Relief Team

• 2 homes are going to Portland (Multnomah County); partner is Community Vision

• 2 homes are going to Talent (Jackson County); partner is Casa of Oregon

Following delivery of the prototypes, the Mass Casitas team will monitor how the homes perform in different climates and their utility to residents, using what they learn to improve the design, inform the production process and assess the potential of creating the units at scale.

"Mass Casitas is helping transform Terminal 2 into a site for innovation, mass timber industry transformation, and opportunity for Oregon families," said Keith Leavitt, chief trade & equitable development officer at the Port of Portland. "This project is even more evidence that mass timber can be transformative for Oregon, and it's full of opportunity for those who have been left behind, from new housing options to the creation of good-paying jobs along the timber and housing construction supply chain."

During the December 2021 special session, the Legislature allocated $5 million for Mass Casitas to the Port of Portland, which is providing the warehouse space and fund management and partnered with Hacienda, the housing organization leading the project. Other key team members are: Salazar Architect Inc. (design), Walsh Construction Co. (general contractor), VALAR Consulting Engineering (engineering), and Freres Engineered Wood (mass timber supplier/expert).

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About Hacienda CDC

Hacienda CDC is a trusted Latino/x-led community-building organization that strengthens BIPOC and low-income communities through affordable housing and holistic services for adults, families and youth. Founded in 1986 in Portland’s Cully neighborhood, Hacienda has grown to support underserved communities that face barriers to opportunity throughout urban and rural Oregon. Through our own innovative approaches and high-impact partnerships, Hacienda develops affordable housing and provides client-centered services and programs that enable people to thrive and achieve their dreams of home ownership, entrepreneurship and education. Learn more at haciendacdc.org.

Learn more about Mass Casitas and this Innovative solution to address the housing crisis

Alex Valle shares how he passionately serves Our community youth and his personal development as an educator. Read more about his experience as an After-School Program Coordinator and his contribution to Hacienda’s Expresiones program.

Photography by Héctor Salazar @hectorsalazarphotography. Courtesy from the group IDEAL PDX.

Alex Valle has always had the desire and passion to work with youth. He is driven to make a difference in the lives of future generations using his gifts of teaching and relationship building. From educating and helping students through art as well as physical education in local schools, to his current role as an Expresiones After-School Program Coordinator, Alex nurtures his talents daily and finds that his work includes more than just teaching, rather he goes further to impact his community and the youth involved.  

Alex began his career at Hacienda in 2019 and transitioned into his role as an After-School Program Coordinator recently. After two years supporting organizational events and entrepreneurs in our Empresarios program, he was drawn to this particular position due to his natural ability to teach and desire to work with youth. Alex describes his current role as being a central person who “… provides a safe space for youth from the community to gather, someone who provides educational assistance with homework, develops cognitive developmental activities and connects them with programs, places, and activities that they would normally not have access to. Needless to say, After-School Program Coordinators serve as “… mentors and teachers for the kids that they work with while also being a resource center for families.”  

“…Expresiones has a vital role in the communities we serve. Not only for the educational value but also because it serves as a support for families involved.”

One of the most compelling ways Expresiones is making an impact is by allowing children to be in a safe environment upon returning from school. Parents oftentimes have busy schedules which prevent them from picking their children up. Youth are dropped off thanks to school transportation near program sites, and head to Expresiones without needing to head home beforehand. They go to their classrooms and parents have peace of mind knowing their children are well taken care of.

Alex explained that as a result of his personal involvement with Expresiones growing up, he stayed away from trouble and difficult situations. Having experienced the impact of this programming firsthand, Alex is sure to make every day count with his youth and quickly learned that every day is a new adventure in Expresiones. The most meaningful part of his work is relationship-building, from activity planning to talking with families.

“The most rewarding part of this position has been to connect with the community, both the kids and the families. Through building this connection I have been able to learn about the needs of the communities and how Hacienda and myself can help. When we are not able to provide help, we connect them to outside programs or resources that can support them. To me, this is the most rewarding part because I know how much help that brings to a family in need.” Alex has built rapport among children and families by being a support system and providing a safe environment for children to access.

“To me, this is the most rewarding part because I know how much help that brings to a family in need.”

After a short period of time, Alex saw that his impact extended beyond after-school activities. Building trust is a crucial component in his work. “When I first started in this position, I imagined it to be much simpler than it truly is. As months have passed, I’ve realized that our goal in the Expresiones program is to provide much more than just help with school and homework. I have developed relationships with the kids as a mentor and role model and relationships with the parents as a guide and family friend. While performing my duties I want the families to see me as someone they can trust and someone that will be there in case they need something. Not just an after-school teacher.”

Meanwhile he teaches children within the classroom, Alex also provides relief to families in moments of need. During the 2022 holiday season, Alex and his Expresiones team provided gifts to families they serve, which primarily encompass low-income households. The holidays can put a strain on families who cannot afford to provide their children and family with gifts. Thanks to the Youth and Family Services team as well as our partnering programs, KGW 8 and Fox 12 Oregon, gifts were given to all the youth within the program—providing help and relief for residential families.

Expresiones provides additional academic support, but its central goal and impact have evolved into something much deeper; its developed into a support system for residential families and a space to cultivate relationships—where community members are listened to. As Alex describes it, “…our goal is to build and strengthen the community and voice the needs of the people we serve… I believe that we are doing just that.”  

Beyond being a mentor and educator, Alex is an incredibly talented multimedia artist. Growing up, he had teachers and mentors who encouraged his artistic pursuits and he believes it was through their support he continued with art. He teaches his love of art to his students on a daily basis in the hope they too feel motivated to foster their individual talents. Overall, Alex shares that by teaching art, he demonstrates “the value of having someone who values and believes in your work…” ensuring to practice this value with the youth he serves.

Alex Valle is an example of a passionate and driven individual that helps Hacienda offer bilingual and bi-cultural academic support to youth in our communities.

Expresiones is an Hacienda CDC program available to residential families. Learn more about Expresiones and Youth and Family Services by clicking here.  

Hacienda CDC’s Empresarios programming supports entrepreneurs to start, grow, and scale their businesses. Read more about our featured Empresario and learn about our amazing community of small business owners.

Name of Business:

Creole Me Up

Country of Origin:

Haiti

Significance of Name: 

The name Creole Me Up came from the language and and traditions from Haiti. In the perspective of Elsy, the Creole food made and cooked here is not up to par thus she decided to “Creole Me Up” some food.

Goals for Business:

“My goal for the next five years is that when anyone thinks of Haiti, they think of the food, drinks and flavors and not the negative stuff depicted in the media. I want people to have that connection of the food with Haiti and not the poverty and negative perspectives of Haiti. I want people to know Haiti through food and to make Pickleez known.”   

Elsy’s Story

Meet Elsy Dinvil she left a decade-long career in the financial sector to start Creole Me Up, a restaurant and catering service specializing in the foods and experiences that Dinvil grew up on with ingredients such plantains, beans and rice and other staples from her Haitian upbringing. Her restaurant was part of an ongoing trend in the industry toward temporary "pop-up" restaurants, which offer customers unique food items and experience for only a few days, or a few hours, at a time prior to Covid-19. With a growing audience base and popularity lost, it is clear that Dinvil has taken a huge hit to her business, however, she is currently focusing on selling packed products such as her delicious Pickleez.

“My name is Elsy and I am originally from Jérémie, Haiti. Haiti is divided into departments, much as the US is divided into States. Jérémie is the third largest city of Haiti and is part of the Grand’Amse department. In 1991, I came to America with a full ride scholarship to study in the United States. I was among just 20 Haitian students selected for this great opportunity. I studied Food Science Technology, graduated, and then, as part of the scholarship agreement, returned to Haiti for two years. I came back to the United States in 1999 after working at the United States Agency for Development (USAID) for two years and at CARE-Haiti for six years.Currently, I am in the process of completing my MBA with a concentration in strategy. I grew up in the kitchen. In fact, in Haiti, girls don’t have a choice. As soon as my mother started cooking, my sisters and I were in the kitchen helping with all sorts of chores and my main task always was to crush the ingredients to make the épis (marinade) of the day to marinate the main meat for dinner. 

Needless to say, I love to cook and enjoy bringing close and new friends together over tasty food. My business, Creole Enterprises LLC, was launched on August 21st, 2017 after a six-year-long struggle with digestive issues and a colon surgery. I have a solid understanding of how foods can nurture and heal the body, and at the same time, negatively affect someone’s health. I am especially focused on helping people overcome health challenges through simple choices in the food they eat. My goal is to provide chemical and allergen-free plant-based products with rich flavors, which offer an alternative in the kitchen, all while staying true to my Haitian roots, culture, and background. This is the biggest inspiration behind my business. 

I recently published a book, Cooking With My Mother that is available on Amazon. This book is filled with over 100 easy-to-follow popular Haitian recipes. My company also offers cooking classes. If you would like to participate in one of the classes, you can either follow us on Instagram, visit this website often, or join our email list. If you cannot attend our classes, just get a copy of the book! My company also caters for small and big events. Reach out to us if you would like to serve Creole foods cooked with the simplest ingredients that sink well with your guests’ bellies.”

About Creole Me Up

Creole Me Up focuses on bringing and highlighting the flavors and the true culture of Haiti to the Northwest. The goal is to expose a different perspective of what Dinvil knows as home vs what is portrayed by the media. She wants the community to see Haiti for its beauty and culinary excellence vs the hardships and poverty.

Learn more about our Empresarios program and other businesses at the Portland Mercado.

OregonHealthCare.gov is a great resource to learn about health coverage, financial assistance and receive Oregon Health Plan enrollment help.

Read more about health coverage in Oregon.

Health coverage in Oregon:

Get help with…

• What coverage and savings you can get at oregonhealthcare.gov/windowshop

• Financial help is available through the Marketplace for both monthly and other out-of-pocket costs

• Free coverage may be avaible to kids, teen, and adults through the Oregon Health Plant at ohp.oregon.gov

• Find free, local help at oregonhealthcare.gov/gethelp

Time is running out, enroll by January 15th!

Contact Oregon Health Plan (OHP)

Toll-Free: 855-268-3767

Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace

855‑268‑3767 (toll‑free)
info.marketplace@odhsoha.oregon.gov

Portland, OR - Hacienda Community Development Corporation (CDC) is pleased to announce that the first residents have moved into Las Adelitas, the organization's newest affordable housing development.

Located at the corner of Killingsworth Street and Cully Boulevard in Portland’s Cully neighborhood, Las Adelitas includes 142 affordable rental apartments and a community event space. The development is designed to meet the needs of low-income families and individuals, with a mix of efficiency, one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments as well as amenities such as a playground, bike storage, electric vehicle car-sharing, and a solar buyback program. The complex was designed with community in mind through various community-led workshops that spoke to the needs of families and individuals.

Applications opened September 2022 and are open on a rolling basis for individuals and families that fall below 60% of the area median income.

Las Adelitas is the outcome of a 5+ year community-driven process to transform a former vacated lot that was negatively impacting the vitality of Cully. After a grassroots effort from community and various supporters, in 2015, Hacienda, Verde, and Habitat for Humanity came together to form the coalition, Living Cully to buy the property with the support of CRAFT3, Prosper Portland, Oregon Community Fund, Meyer Memorial Trust, over $50,000 donated directly from community members, and many others. In 2017 Hacienda purchased the entire property to create affordable housing that is so desperately needed.

Aptly named after feminist Mexican revolutionaries, the building brings deep social, economic and environmental benefits to the Cully community. Inspired by community design in every detail, the community also features a large-scale mural by notable artist Michelle Angela Ortiz which features Cully community members and a poem written by a local neighbor.

First resident to Las Adelitas receives keys from Ernesto Fonseca, Hacienda Chief Executive Officer

"We are thrilled to welcome the first residents to Las Adelitas," said Chief Executive Officer, Ernesto Fonseca. "This development was once just a dream, and many people thought it couldn’t be done, now we are welcoming our first residents and celebrating it as an important step in our efforts to provide affordable housing options for low-income families and individuals in the Portland area."

In addition to affordable housing, Las Adelitas also includes a community event space and space for Portland Niños, Hacienda’s program for families with children age 0-5.

Hacienda will be celebrating the official grand opening of Las Adelitas in early Spring. For more information about Las Adelitas and our full list of funders, please visit www.lasadelitas.org.

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Re-experience an amazing year of community gatherings after two long years apart. Scroll through our favorite photos from a great year at the Portland Mercado.

Makers De Mayo

What better way to support local businesses than in our Makers De Mayo event? Makers De Mayo hosted over 20 BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) makers and small-businesses.  

In addition to showcasing amazing makers, live entertainment and music brightened up the Portland Mercado for people to enjoy. Thanks to the support from Kuto, not only did attendees support their local vendors, but each received a $50 digital gift card to spend at Makers De Mayo and throughout the Powell-Foster neighborhood.

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Portland Mercado’s 7th Anniversary

2022 was an important year for our community as we gathered to celebrate 7 years of the Portland Mercado!

Incredible vendors and makers and local partners joined us to make this event a success and EducateYa hosted an on-site vaccine clinic for community.

Since 2015 Hacienda has offered this space as the hub of our business advising and incubation programming that began in 2006. We can’t believe how much we have grown and are honored to have built this community that is created and loved by many.

Thank you to Senator Ron Wyden and Senator Jeff Merkley for their continued support and for being a part of the celebrations!

Summer Fest

This family-friendly event was a perfect way to beat the heat and join in fun festivities where neighbors, families, friends, and the broader community came together to enjoy live music by Oleada, Refugio, DJ Buena Suerte, and OC Note of Alta Vocez. Attendees enjoyed deicious food, drinks, and wares from artisans to celebrate summer fun!

Sin Maíz No Hay País

SIN MAÍZ NO HAY PAÍS was an open-to-the-public performance in partnership with Heidi Duckler Dance and Hacienda CDC staged on the performing grounds of the Portland Mercado. The performance seeks to capture the rich cultural history and vibrant beauty of the community that resides there. Watch the video to experience the amazing performance by the Heidi Duckler Dance Company!

Taste of Latin America

We gathered at the Portland Mercado to celebrate over thirty-five Latin-American artists, musicians like Frankie Simone, Gata Galatica, Grupo Latitudes, LUVJONEZ, and DJ Lapaushi, and vendors that showcase the flavors from across Latin America!

It was a special day to support our incredible community and showcase nuestra cultura.

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Brazillian Festival

We brought a bit of Brazil to Portland and celebrated its vibrant and beautiful culture in partnership with Favela Brazillian Cafe. Attendees had a chance to support vendors, makers, and taste the flavors of Brazil all while enjoying music and Samba dancing lessons!

Comunidad Viva

This annual fundraiser is an opportunity for our community to gather in support of Hacienda’s mission and impact in our community. In 2022 we were joined by renown author and activist, Julissa Arce, for a keynote speech and celebrated our successes and achievements over 2022. AleCocina, Kotiax Catering, Kitchana Kitchen, and Sandy’s Myanmar Cuisine, vendors from Hacienda’s Portland Mercado and Empresarios program, joined us to serve delicious meals as we danced the night away to Son de Cuba!

Día De Los Muertos

Dia de Muertos is a time for us to celebrate the life of those that have passed. We honor and connect with their spirit by offering flowers, treats, and gifts that allow us to connect and call them back from the spirit realm. During this time it is believed the veil is thinnest to facilitate this connection. Community members joined us at the Portland Mercado to contribute to a communal alter and family-friendly music and festivities from Elle Bosque, a Juan Garcia impersonator, Lanessa Long, and Juma DeJesus.

Las Posadas

The event nods to traditional holiday celebrations from around Central and South America and offers a unique opportunity to support Portland’s small businesses. Visitors were greated by music from Elle Bosque, Gerardo Calderon, and Ariel DJ. With a great selection of vendors—Las Posadas was a unique opportunity to shop small this holiday season and enjoy all the Portland Mercado has to offer!

These events were made possible thanks to our incredible community of supporters and sponsors— AAA, Comcast, Metro, Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace, and Reach CDC.

We look forward to seeing you in 2023!

View the 2023 Portland Mercado Events calendar!

Want to Support events in 2023? contact beckie lee at blee@haciendacdc.org

The PDX 311 program is an initiative by the City of Portland to connect residents to city and county services.

Read more about this easy-to-use Tool.

PDX 311 is a tool for those living in Portland and Multnomah County to quickly access government services. Call 311 when you have a question or have a need from local government within the county.

Start with 311 when you have…

• Questions about anything from recreational programs to how to pay for a parking ticket

• Requests about anything from getting a permit to help with a fender bender

• Reports about anything from obstructed roads to leaky hydrants

Contact:

Phone: 3-1-1 or (503) 823-4000 within Multnomah County

Email: 311@portlandoregon.gov

PDX 311 staff can be reached Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., excluding federal holidays, by phone or email.

Staff is fluent in English, Spanish, Romanian, and Tagalog and has resources to assist community members in additional languages. 

PDX 311 is not a substitution for 911. During emergencies, please call 911. If you need social services, call 211.

Thank you to our donors and business partners for investing in Hacienda this winter!

Give!Guide is the centerpiece of our year-end giving campaign. It’s the opportunity for community members and businesses to come together to support Hacienda – and we can’t thank you all enough for your generosity!

In just two short months, we received 295 donations totaling over $39,000!  We appreciate each and every one of you and want to give a special shout out to our partners this year!  Huge thanks to:

• Nico’s Ice Cream for donating gift cards for our first 50 donors!

• Nico’s Cantina, a new neighbor in Cully, donated 15% of their proceeds on November 16th!

• Brew Dr. Kombucha, who donated $500, “buy one, get one free” coupons for all our donors, and 4 3-month supplies of Brew Dr. Kombucha!

• Lime kicked off our campaign with a $1,500 contribution! 

• La Villa Bar & Grill donated a portion of their proceeds on December 8th to Hacienda and Wallace!

• Portland Tacovore donated 15% of their proceeds on December 7th!

• Wonder Ballroom donated 2 tickets to their New Years Eve show.

And last but not least, special thanks to the Winquist Family who generous matched the first $10,000 in donations!

You all wrapped your arms around Hacienda this holiday season.  Thank you!

Hacienda CDC’s Empresarios programming supports entrepreneurs to start, grow, and scale their businesses. Read more about our featured Empresario and learn about our amazing community of small business owners.

Business Name: Jesmar Spices

Country of Origin: Santa Cruz Tacache de Mina - Oaxaca, Mexico

Significance of Name: The name is a mix of the only daughters fist and last name, (Jes)sica (Mar)tinez: “Jesmar” Spices.

Goals for Business: Silverios goals are to expand his packaged salsa business to sell in retailers. He plans on focusing only on packaged products but would also love to work more at farmers markets to sells tacos as a way for people to try his marinades and packaged goods. His long term goal is to have a place to produce and package his products such as a restaurant, or grocery store with a butcher shop!    

Silverio’s Story

My name is Silverio Martinez, I was born in a town called Santa Cruz Tacache de Mina that in the beginning was dedicated to shepherding sheep and growing cotton, that's why the name of Tacache which in the Mixtec dialect means sheep behind the cotton field.

In my childhood I worked in the fields planting corn, beans and peanuts. My house is located one kilometer from the Mixteco river in Oaxaca, Mexico. My housewife mother and my peasant father. At school time I would leave school and go with my father to plant and care for the goats. My mother made a sauce with spices to dry the meat, because there was no refrigeration and we also covered the cheese with the leaves of a plant so that it stayed longer. It was from her that I learned to mix chilies with spices to create the marinades that I sell today. In addition to giving a very good flavor to the meat, it is preserved for a longer time.

My maternal grandfather was a butcher or "matanzas" as we called him in my town. Thanks to him I learned to work meat and that is why my marinades are special for preparing roasts.

Due to the economic situation of my family, I only studied elementary school. I emigrated from Oaxaca to the Federal District at the age of 16 where I worked in butchers and improving my work. When he was 26 years old, he emigrated to the United States. I worked in a restaurant for 5 years and then in a Mexican store for 12 years. In the Mexican store I prepared the marinades and they sold very well. That was how I decided to start my own business and stop working for someone else. Now they are my clients.

My business is called Jesmar Spices after my only daughter Jessica Martinez. I chose the word Spices because I make hot sauces and use 100% natural spices. My marinades are made from dried chili peppers, spices and citrus fruit juices such as lemon, orange and pineapple. Right now I am selling my wholesale marinades at butchers in the Portland Metro region and the current plan is to make my marinades in cans for the consumer to use their creativity and marinate their meats at home.

Jesmar Spices

Jesmar Spices is a company based on true traditional recipes mixed with years of experience. The man behind it all is Silverio Martinez. His story with spices began as a kid when he would learn by seeing his grandfather cook with spices and marinades to help preserve meats. Where Silverio is from refrigeration was a commodity that not many had, thus the use of spices to preserve food is very common. His grandpa himself had many years of experience and many perfected recipes that he passed on to Silverio. Due to the bad economic states of his hometown, he decided to migrate to the United States in 1997, with the hopes of finding a stable job to help out his family back home. His dream however was always to earn enough money to establish a grocery store business with a butcher shop back home to go back and run it with his family. 

         During the first few years in the U.S, he worked regular restaurant jobs to make ends meet. In 2004 he began working at a butcher shop at a Mexican store. He would use his own recipes to marinade the meats sold at this shop and realized there was a high demand for his products. This is where he began to realize that his work had more value than what he was being compensated for. He constantly asked for a raise and in all his years there his max pay only reached thirteen dollars. This sparked his entrepreneurial spirit and slowly began looking for ways to begin his own business. 

         In 2016 he began working with the Portland Mercado trough the Empresarios Program where he learned about how to properly establish a business here. In 2017 he got his license and began selling his marinades and spices to local stores. During this period he was working a regular job at night and focused on. growing is business during the day. As time went on his business began picking up to the point where he decided to spend his savings on a work truck to help deliver his products. 

        Jesmar Spices currently has products in 11 stores and supplies 4 food carts around town with his marinades. As his business continued to grow, he began to sell tacos at local farmer's markets. His first event ever was the street fair in Milwaukee, Oregon. He began selling food as a way to fund his spices business and to promote them as well since he uses his marinades to add flavor to his meats. This part of his business brought some though challenges for Silverio to face since he had never sold as a vendor himself. He undervalued his products but thanks to feedback from peers and customers he raised his prices to make a better profit margin which reflected the quality of his work. Sadly, COVID-19 has brought a halt to this part of his business but his entrepreneurial spirit has led him to evolve along with the tough times.      

        Silverio is currently focusing on selling his packaged products has recently begun developing packaged salsas made with secret recipes that he has slowly developed using his roots and traditional recipes as inspiration. YUM! 

         The three salsas are Salsa Verde, Salsa Diabla, and Salsa Puya! Currently only available at select restaurants. For inquiries or samples please contact Silverio personally.

Learn more about our Empresarios program and other businesses at the Portland Mercado.