In April 2024, Salvador Gutierrez got a big surprise.
The Oxnard, California-based food vendor, who made his living selling sweet drinks called Agua Frescas, received a new customized street cart and $5,000 to elevate his business. The check came courtesy of a new product line from the Modelo beer brand, according to a press release from the company. “I started this business to make ends meet but what I wasn’t prepared for was the amount of love and support I received from my community. They rallied behind me to support my business and my dream,” said Gutierrez, who thanked Modelo and said he would use the new cart to “make my daughters proud.” Later that year, Modelo created a ghost kitchen in New York City to commemorate Día de Los Muertos, featuring dishes like beer battered fish tacos and pollo asado in a beer citrus marinade. All of the dishes were developed by Hispanic chefs to celebrate the legacy of their loved ones who have died.
