LATINAS IN THE INDUSTRY Teresa Blanco, the link between community and vendors By Violeta Montes de Oca orthgate González 3rd USDA grant in 2024 helping Meet Teresa Market’s owners Calfresh participants earn and Blanco have made a redeem additional free produce longstanding at grocery store level. commitment to care Another example, when Her mom and dad were from Jalisco, Nfor the community’s schools’ setup a “field trip” México. She was born in Santa Monica and health and wellbeing. Sometimes, or healthy store tour to visit is the youngest of her siblings. the stores operate as a health Northgate Market, they turn it “When I was a kid, I guess I’ve always portal. Teresa Blanco is the mind into a walkover through Nutrition volunteered. I was Treasurer and President and hands behind this. Month in March. at Elementary, as well as in junior high She is the Director of “Our goal is that after they do and high school, involved in student Community Engagement and the tour for one hour, they learn government-type programs and giving Wellness at Northgate Market. how to shop healthier when they back to the community,” Blanco said in an Northgate Market held over come in with their parents and interview with Abasto. 600 events in 2023 to bring free help them make a difference,” That is very similar to her work today, health screenings and nutrition said Blanco. and she also ensures her family is involved. education about chronic diseases The supermarket chain Women in Teresa’s family and coworkers to the stores. The result? partners with vendors to promote have inspired her to keep doing what she Customers see the market as a healthier options and products. loves and be proud as a Latina. health portal to learn more about 吀栀e goal is to create an enrichment “Women have inspired me to make sure nutrition and how to improve environment for the kids. At the that we’re always giving back, making a their general way of life. end of the store tours, kids leave di昀昀erence in the community, and taking with bilingual coloring books, time to care for ourselves,” Blanco said. fruit, and nutrition knowledge. “Women should also know our worth HER ROLE IN THE Teresa’s involvement with value. Because we juggle so much for COMMUNITY the community our families. Especially as Teresa enjoys her job as Director also involves Latinas, we juggle so many of eresa enjoys her job as Director Northgate 2005 She worked ten things regarding work and life of Community Engagement and Market associates months at El Super. balance, and I think women Wellness at Northgate Market. and their family 2010 She was on board at overall carry a lot more weight She explains that the pros of members. As a Northgate Market.. on their shoulders every day,” working in the industry are cancer survivor, 27 Years in marketing. she added. the different partnerships the she co-founded 20 Years of developing Teresa is a single mother company establishes to better the a cancer support and managing partnerships who 昀椀gures out how to come community. Northgate Market group in 2016 with with nonpro昀椀ts. home after work and make a has been hosting free onsite her coworker, home meal with her children. breast exams and mammograms Juan Manuel She makes that a priority. at store level since 2010. UCSD “Chito” Suarez. and Northgate Market will launch 5522 MMAAYY//JJUUNNE 2E 200224 4 AABBAASSTOTO..CCOOMM