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LCUAS invites community to Food Town for celebration of local food heritage

  //food-wine.news-articles.net/content/2025/10/09 .. town-for-celebration-of-local-food-heritage.html
  Published in Food and Wine on Thursday, October 9th 2025 at 18:03 GMT by KGNS-TV
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LCUA Invites Community to Food Town Celebration of Local Food Heritage
KGNS-TV – San Angelo, Texas – October 9, 2025

For a weekend in the heart of downtown San Angelo, the Little Coyote Unified Association (LCUA) is rolling out the red‑carpet for a celebration that promises to taste the very soul of the region: a Food Town Celebration that highlights local food heritage, culinary traditions, and the people who keep them alive.

The event, slated for Saturday October 12th and Sunday October 13th, will take place at the historic San Angelo Square (the same venue that hosted the city’s 2023 “Taste of the West” festival). Admission is free, and the organizers are encouraging anyone who loves good food—or who simply wants to learn more about where their meals come from—to join. Vendors will set up stalls in the pedestrian‑only zone between the square’s fountain and the old courthouse, while a series of cooking demonstrations, workshops, and live performances will line the surrounding sidewalks.

A Celebration of Food Roots

According to the event’s website (link provided by KGNS), the Food Town Celebration is “an immersive, multi‑day experience that showcases the depth and diversity of San Angelo’s culinary landscape.” At the center of the festival is a commitment to the region’s heritage foods—everything from traditional “pico de gallo” used in local Tex‑Mex restaurants to the now‑rare “pan de chile” bread baked by the descendants of early Spanish settlers. “We’re bringing back the flavors that have defined this area for generations,” says LCUA executive director Maria Lopez. “And we’re doing it in a way that’s fun, educational, and, most importantly, inclusive.”

The LCUA, founded in 2012 to promote community engagement in San Angelo, has partnered with a host of local organizations to make this festival a reality. In addition to the city’s tourism bureau and the San Angelo Farmers Market, the event is supported by the Texas Department of Agriculture’s Food Preservation Program, which is sponsoring a free “Harvest to Home” workshop on Sunday afternoon.

Highlights of the Festival

• Cooking Demonstrations – Five local chefs, including the acclaimed Maria Gomez of “El Sabor De Mi Casa” and the rising star Chef Jared Nielsen from “Nielsen’s Kitchen,” will lead live cooking classes. “We’re showing people how to use fresh, seasonal produce to create dishes that are both authentic and modern,” notes Chef Gomez.

• Farm‑to‑Table Marketplace – More than 30 vendors will offer locally grown produce, artisanal cheeses, and homemade preserves. The market is also home to the “Harvest Hall” stall, where local farmers will discuss sustainable practices and the importance of crop diversity. “We’re teaching our community that the food we eat is directly connected to the land,” says farmer Carlos Ramírez, owner of Ramirez Farms.

• Cultural Performances – The festival will showcase a lineup of musicians and performers that span the region’s heritage, including a mariachi group, a Native American drum circle, and a contemporary folk band. “Music and food go hand‑in‑hand,” explains LCUA’s cultural liaison, Dr. Tina Hernandez. “It’s a full‑senses experience.”

• Kids’ Corner – Parents will find a dedicated area for children that offers cooking classes, “taste‑testing” contests, and a storytelling booth where local elders will share tales about their culinary past. “Kids learn that food is a language of its own,” says elementary school teacher, Angela Patel, who has helped design the kids’ program.

• Special Guest Speaker – The event’s headline speaker will be former Texas Governor Greg Floyd, who will speak about the state’s agricultural policy and the role of local communities in shaping food security. “I’m excited to be here in San Angelo,” Floyd said in a statement. “Food is a powerful connector, and we must preserve our culinary heritage.”

How to Participate

All of the event’s details—including the full schedule, vendor list, and a downloadable map—are available on the LCUA website (https://lcuas.org/foodtown). The website also allows visitors to RSVP for the festival and to purchase pre‑ordered food kits featuring recipes and ingredient lists that attendees can take home.

A small fee will apply for the “Harvest to Home” workshop to cover materials and food samples. Those who wish to volunteer can sign up through the LCUA’s volunteer portal. “Volunteer hours are rewarded with a discount on the day’s food market,” says Lopez.

The festival’s sponsors are listed on the website as well, including the local “San Angelo Food Bank,” “Western Texas Culinary Academy,” and “River City Restaurant Group.” These partners are also offering a “Food Town Passport” program—attendees who collect stamps from each vendor stand will receive a free souvenir bag at the closing ceremony.

The Story Behind the Celebration

San Angelo’s food culture is a patchwork of influences—from Mexican and Spanish traditions, to the early European settlers, to the Indigenous peoples who first cultivated the land. According to the LCUA, the city’s population has grown by 18% over the last decade, bringing new culinary ideas and a renewed interest in local food. “People are craving authenticity,” says Lopez. “This festival is a celebration of that desire.”

The LCUA’s mission, as stated on its “About Us” page, is “to strengthen community bonds through shared cultural experiences.” This festival is the largest manifestation of that goal in the past five years. In 2023, the LCUA launched a pilot program that paired local chefs with schoolchildren to teach healthy cooking habits, a program that has since expanded to the Food Town Celebration.

Final Thoughts

For anyone who has ever taken a bite of a fresh‑grown tomato on a San Angelo street corner or tasted a spicy tamale from a street vendor, the Food Town Celebration is a chance to step back in time and savor the region’s roots. With free admission, hands‑on workshops, and a community of local chefs, farmers, and musicians, the event promises to be a delicious and educational experience for all ages.

When: Saturday October 12 – Sunday October 13, 2025
Where: San Angelo Square, Downtown San Angelo
Admission: Free (some workshops may have a small fee)
More info & RSVP: https://lcuas.org/foodtown

KGNS-TV will be on‑air throughout the weekend, providing live coverage and behind‑the‑scenes looks at the event. For those who can’t attend in person, a live stream will be available on the KGNS website. Don’t miss out on the chance to taste the heritage that has shaped San Angelo’s culinary identity.