And Now For Something Completely Different: Latino Grocery Store Markets To Non-Latino Customers

By now we’re well aware of various grocery stores and mega-store chains - like Wal-Mart - doing what they can to cater to Latino shoppers. This includes pulling Latinoid food products out of the “ethnic” food aisle and scattering them about the other, more WASPy food. Like cream of wheat, we suppose. 

However, Pro’s Ranch Markets in Mesa, Arizona are doing exactly the opposite. Typically known as a Latino chain catering to Latino tastes, the grocery chain is making an effort to appeal to non-Latinos, too. The store includes bilingual signs and labels that may help describe unfamiliar items to non-Latino shoppers. 

The store also has a wide appeal, featuring foods that, while Latino, appeal to a variety of tastes:

A creameria and chorizo “village” boasts different kinds of homemade cheeses, yogurts and spicy Mexican sausages. Nearby, a candy store features various kinds of Mexican and Spanish candies - some of them made at the store. A favorite item is raspados, a popular shaved-iced dessert topped with a ladle of pureed fruit syrup. Next door, a salsa bar, a refrigerated shelf, features different kinds of homemade salsas and guacamole.

The store’s centerpiece is the festive food court with music, picnic style tables, fans with flying ribbons and bright colorful signs. Newcomers can find specialty counters of decadent desserts, baked goods, hot deli foods, fresh fruit or vegetable juices, fruit salads, candies, and homemade yogurt.

Cool. When can we move in? 

We like the idea of organizing a store as a “village,” because we think it makes food that might seem strange or unappealing when stacked on a shelf seem less intimidating and easier to try. 

Now, if Ranch Markets decided they wanted to go ahead and alienate all non-Latinos, they could feature “Rumba” pork products. The company, designed to appeal to Latino consumers, produces cuts of pork and pig products not often seen on non-Latino dinner tables (Unless, actually, you’re from the South. Southerners don’t let any part of the pig go to waste. Which is why we love it.):

 The new Rumba pork products include ears, hocks, jowls, kidneys, neck bones, split front feet, stomach, tails, fatback skins, hearts and livers.

The Rumba pork products offered are based on extensive consumer research to match and exceed the needs and expectations of multicultural customers such as Hispanics and African Americans, who are primary users of pork specialty meats in traditional dishes.

Now. Anyone in the mood for headcheese? 

Latino grocery reaching out to non-Hispanic customers [Casa Grande Valley Newspapers]