In Mexico City, the street food stalls They represent much more than a quick option to satisfy a basic need, but a connection between tradition, local economy and sustainability, being essential for the urban food system.
A study led by Ana Gabriela Ortega-Ávila, professor at the University Autonomous National of Mexicoy Louise Guiburnetpublished in the magazine Geo of the Royal Geographical Society and in the UNAM Gazette in December, its importance in the culture and social dynamics of the Mexican capital stands out.
More than snacks
Street stalls preserve traditional Mexican recipes like tacos, sopes, tamales and esquites. These foods are not only accessible to the working population, but they also keep ancestral culinary practices alive.
According to the study, its offer is a more nutritious alternative to the ultra-processed products that predominate in supermarkets.
According to the authors of the study titled Street vendors as actors in a sustainable food system: The case of Mexico City“it is desirable for people to eat enough in a healthy and sustainable way, and for this to happen, the environment must help.”
This reinforces the idea that street stalls not only offer accessible food, but also align with the need to improve the population’s eating habits while strengthening the cultural link of the inhabitants with their urban environment, becoming symbols of identity.
CAPITAL IDENTITY
Street vendors encourage sustainable practices by using local ingredients. This model reduces the environmental impact and gives strength to the circular economy, which benefits both small producers and consumers.
In mayoralties of the CDMX like Azcapotzalco y Miguel Hidalgo, More than 55 percent of sales points are informal, which makes their economic relevance clear.
Its flexibility allows it to serve communities with limited access to options nutritional formal by filling a void left by commercial chains.
Beyond food, according to this research, street stalls They are places of social gathering. From atoles in the morning to quesadillas at night, these spaces connect people, creating bonds community and reinforcing the social fabric of the city.
Despite their relevance, sellers face obstacles such as the lack of inclusive public policies. According to the researchers, prioritizing street vendors would help guarantee food security and the preservation of an essential tradition in the CDMX.
Street food not only nourishes, but reflects the identity of the Mexico City. Recognizing its value is crucial to building a more inclusive, sustainable future connected to the city’s cultural roots.
The Crouching Ones.
At the end of 1800 and beginning of 1900, street food stalls emerged in CDMX, where the chimoleras, cooks, placed their pots of food, baskets with tortillas and jugs of water on the ground, around them swirled the#TastyThread pic.twitter.com/XvzW7dZ977
— Smells🍷, Flavors🌮 And Memories🇲🇽 (@olores_y) February 10, 2022
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