PRESS RELEASE “Encuentro de Mezquite”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, May 18, 2026
Media Contact: Ryan Cantu, (956) 763-2151, ryan@tejanext.com
Summer Events Celebrate the Flavors of Mezquite Bean Flour
Organization: The Texas Indigenous Food Project and Laredo Center for Urban Agriculture and
Sustainability
LAREDO, Texas: The public is invited to attend “Encuentro de Mezquite,” a free series of events in June and August
celebrating the flavors of mezquite bean flour. Mezquite is a tree native to south Texas that
grows abundantly in the Laredo area. Mezquite bean pods can be ground into a flour that is
naturally sweet and earthy with aromatic notes of cloves, cinnamon, and chocolate. The
flour can be used to make delicious baked goods, as a smoothie supplement, or to enhance
the flavor of other recipes. The beans can also be boiled to make agua fresca and
preserves.
The events are hosted by Texas Indigenous Foods Project in partnership with Laredo
Center for Urban Agriculture and Sustainability (LCUAS).
“Native people in Webb County have been turning mezquite beans into edible flour for
centuries. We’re hosting these events to bring Laredoans back in touch with our native
landscape, and to preserve beautiful food traditions that have largely been lost,” said
Virginia Palacios, event organizer.
Ryan Cantu, event organizer and board member of LCUAS noted “Mezquite pods are high
in protein, fiber, healthy carbohydrates, are diabetic friendly, and gluten free. As a result of
the loss of this native tradition, the people of Webb County have been deprived of an
important nutritional food source right in their backyard. Since mezquite grows naturally all
over Laredo, people could have access to it as a free food source. Our workshops will teach
Laredoans how to safely harvest and grind the mezquite bean pods while reconnecting to
their land and native past.”
Foraging events in June will be held at Laredo parks and will give attendees lessons and
hands-on experience on how to pick the best mezquite pods. A separate mezquite
exchange and tasting will be held after each foraging event, where participants will be able
to taste foods prepared with mezquite and take home some of their own harina de
mezquite
In August, the Encuentro de Mezquite will include a cooking demonstration during
Caminarte, a local business mercado featuring mezquite foods. The Encuentro will also
include a vendor’s market focusing on native foods and a luncheon with foods prepared by
local chefs, including the people behind La India Packing Co. and Bobby Gonzalez of
Tabernilla. The event series will conclude with a Sunday brunch featuring a barbacoa
demonstration and, tentatively, a chance to view a hammer mill, which is used to grind
mezquite beans into flour.
Culinary scholar, chef, and writer Maite Gomez-Rejon will serve as a keynote to lead the
speaking events. The Encuentro will also feature distinguished guest Lucille Contreras, a
Lipan Apache with roots in Laredo and founder of the Texas Tribal Buffalo Project that is
reintroducing American bison to Texas lands.
The public is strongly encouraged to RSVP to the events.
RSVP To: https://forms.gle/b3uvZxzsCT4s2isv9
Calendar of events:
June 6 & 20, 2026 – Foraging events and workshops
● June 6, 2026
○ Foraging hike and guided harvest
8:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Chacon Bat Park Nature Trail, 1104 S
Meadow St, Laredo, TX 78043
○ Mezquite exchange & tasting
11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Canseco House
1415 Chihuahua St, Laredo, TX 78040
● June 20, 2026
○ Foraging hike and guided harvest
8:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Riverbend Nature Preserve
2636 Venture St., Laredo, TX 78040
○ Mezquite exchange & tasting:
11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Farmers Market at Outlets
1600 Water St, Laredo, TX 78040
August 7 – 9, 2026 – Encuentro de Mezquite
● August 7, 2026
○ Mezquite Cooking Demonstration with Luna
Vela; remarks by Maite Gomez-Rejon
6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Casa Ortiz, 915 Zaragoza St, Laredo, TX
78040
● August 8, 2026
○ Mercado de Mezquite
9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Border Heritage Museum, 810 Zaragoza St,
Laredo, TX 78040
○ Panels and Tastings (speakers TBA)
10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Border Heritage Museum
810 Zaragoza St.
Laredo, TX 78040
○ Native Luncheon and Plática
(registration required)
1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Laredo Center for the Arts
500 San Agustin Ave.
Laredo, TX 78040
○ Carne Asada and Barbacoa Demonstration
(registration required)
6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
La Pita Mangana Ranch
Cuatro Vientos Road (address to be provided
upon registration)
● August 9, 2026
○ Barbacoa Unveiling and Closing Brunch
10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
La Pita Mangana Ranch
Cuatro Vientos Road (address to be provided
upon registration)
About LCUAS
Laredo Center for Urban Agriculture and Sustainability creates and promotes an urban food
system for the City of Laredo by increasing access to local fresh food for low-income citizens
and the community at large.
About The Texas Indigenous Food Project
The Texas Indigenous Food Project promotes the understanding of Texas native food history
and culture, so that by recapturing ancestral knowledge, communities in Texas and throughout
the Americas will be better grounded in solidarity and sustainability