People of the Mercado

Originally from San Juan Calmeca, a small town located in Puebla, México, Florencia “Flor” Huerta migrated to the United States in 1988 in search of a better life. Growing up in México, Florencia and her eight siblings experienced extreme poverty as her parents, who worked as humble field workers, struggled to provide for the family. Nonetheless, she remembers a childhood filled with love and happiness, and today, some of her fondest memories are of her spending time with her mother cooking and playing hide and seek with her father and brothers.

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However, after experiencing financial hardships, Florencia decided to migrate to the U.S. and, like many immigrants, leaving her hometown, family, and friends behind proved to be difficult. After a three-day journey, Florencia felt relief and joy to have made it to the United States, where she reunited with her sister and cousin and settled in Huntington Park. Florencia immediately sought work and found employment at a garment factory; she recalls feeling nervous as she had no experience as a seamstress, but with grit and determination, she learned how to operate a sewing machine. With the money she earned, she was able to help her family back in Puebla, and eventually brought her youngest brother to the U.S. Just as everything was working out for Florencia, she was suddenly hit with devastating news: her father had passed away. She was distraught and heartbroken by the loss of her father, but she gives thanks to God for helping her and giving her the strength to overcome this difficult time.

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After living in Huntington Park for four years, Florencia decided to relocate to South Central Los Angeles and found work at Mercado La Paloma as a cook at the restaurant, Oaxacalifornia. South Central is where she met her partner of 23 years and where they have laid down roots, including raising their daughter, Xelha Berenice Puc, which means small water drop in the Mayan Yucateco language. Florencia and her partner are incredibly proud of their daughter who is studying to become a veterinarian at Humboldt State University and are forever thankful to Mercado La Paloma, as it has allowed her to support her daughter through college.