Jean Mendieta and Evelyn Cervantes launched Proyecto Xilonen in 2022 with a dream of exploring Mesoamerican culinary heritage by growing traditional crops, reimagining ancestral dishes, and sharing food ways by hosting free workshops. These workshops and community gatherings cover everything from the art of homemade “masa” and the many magical varieties of corn to making your own mole. Along the way, their work has addressed food access inequities by empowering children and folks in the West Side to build food sovereignty and resilience through growing their own traditional foods.
Special thank you to Jean Mendieta and Evelyn Cervantes of Proyecto Xilonen and Vi Tran of Picnic Cafe.