Happy Cinco de Mayo! Ok, yes. But why is Cinco de Mayo a celebration? This question comes up every year.  Truth is, nobody really knows exactly. I mean, yes, a lot of people do a little research every year and show off their knowledge of the event that occurred in Mexico in the 1800s. I don't know why people feel they should know Mexican history in such a granular way about one of many battles that have been fought in Mexico for centuries. Why Cinco de Mayo? Why this battle in Puebla?

This is a synopsis that I had Gemini write for us: The Battle of Puebla, or Cinco de Mayo, commemorates the unexpected Mexican victory over the French forces of Napoleon III on May 5, 1862. Following Mexico's suspension of foreign debt payments, France used the resulting intervention as an opportunity to invade and install a monarchy, despite the withdrawal of their Spanish and British allies. Mexican forces, led by General Ignacio Zaragoza, were significantly outnumbered and poorly equipped compared to the elite French army. The victory was a massive morale boost and a powerful symbol of Mexican resistance to foreign aggression. Internationally, the battle was significant as it delayed French plans that might have aided the Confederate States during the American Civil War. 

Ok, so basically that's what everybody mentions in some form or another on their social media posts after doing some research to refresh their memories. They might even add the names of military leaders and other impressive details. But what does that have to do with us in 2026?

Cinco de Mayo was adopted in the 60s by the civil rights activists of the Chicano movement. Today, Cinco de Mayo celebrates the Mexican American community here in the United States. Given the current political and economic climate Cinco de Mayo is important because it offers the entire community an opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the presence and the contributions of Latinos in the United States.

What I'd like to suggest this year, is for us to include the Latino Farm Worker in our Cinco de Mayo celebrations. I think it's particularly important to keep these essential workers in mind because of the unfortunate recent developments regarding the late Cesar Chavez. After all these years we became accustomed to celebrating the man and not the movement, or the people for whom the movement was started. 

Look, can you imagine celebrating Cinco de Mayo without tomatoes, onions, cilantro, limes, or avocados?!?! Without knowing it, every Cinco de Mayo we have been celebrating Latino Farm Workers' contributions the minute we dip our first chip in the guacamole or the pico de gallo! The moment we bite into a wedge of lime before taking a shot of tequila we have been saying "Cheers!" to what the Latino Farm Workers produce with their hard work.

The labor of our farm worker brothers and sisters is an integral part of what we offer at Papalote Mexican Grill and what goes into Papalote Salsas.

At Papalote Mexican Grill we get our produce delivered fresh three or four times a week by Arcadio's, with a large majority of their produce is grown right here in California. We are very lucky to be able to prepare traditional Mexican and Mexican American dishes, such as burritos, with produce that is grown right in our backyard. Luckier still that we are able to source what goes into Papalote Salsas locally, with Garlic from Gilroy, onions from Oxnard, and tomatoes from the California Central Valley.

At Papalote, the food that we serve and the salsas that we create, are a daily celebration of what Latino Farmer Workers cultivate in this beautiful state our ours. Join us in celebrating them every day, but in particular, let's raise a salsa covered chip to them, and thank and celebrate them every Cinco de Mayo from now on for all they do. 

To the Latino Farm Worker! ¡Viva el campesino latino!