Left to Right: Rep. Tara Hong; Rep. Andy Vargas; Senator John Keenan; Rep. Tackey Chan (Photo courtesy Nik Orellana of Rep. Vargas’s office)
Lowell — Last Friday, June 26, saw State Representative Tara Hong (D-Lowell) and Representative Andy Vargas (D-Haverhill), Chair of the Joint Committee on Community Development and Small Businesses, lead members of the state legislature and community members on a “Taste the Acre” tour.
Joining the event were Community Development and Small Businesses Committee members, Senator John Keenan, as well as Representative Tackey Chan, and staffers from Senator Vanna Howard’s (D-Lowell) office.
The group spent the afternoon with Lyzzie Bo from Taste the Acre and Jessica O’Hearn of Mosaic Lowell, who led the tour exploring he rich culinary culture and history the Lowell neighborhood has to offer.
“Taste the Acre is an incredible program that shows just how powerful place-based small business initiatives can be, and how dedicated community organizers can bring together a city’s resources to create something meaningful, fun, and engaging,” said Rep. Vargas. “This program doesn’t just give an economic boost to Lowell’s food industry, it highlights the incredible people who’ve helped build this community, one piece at a time.”
The Acre is one of Lowell’s most diverse neighborhoods and home to 31 food businesses serving cuisine representing 14 different countries.
“Taste the Acre is about much more than food. It’s an investment in the neighborhood’s small businesses, entrepreneurs, and cultural identity,” said O’Hearn. “Every tour introduces new customers to local restaurants while creating opportunities for businesses to tell their stories and build lasting relationships with visitors.”
Both O’Hearn and Bo emphasized the contributions of the neighborhoods immigrant communities, which began moving into the neighborhood in the mid 1800s. Tour participants learned about the history behind the foods and indulge in a variety of Greek, Laos, Cambodia, Chinese, and Japanese cuisines during their stops.
“Food uniquely brings people together, connecting us to different cultures, strengthening our communities, and celebrating the traditions that make them special,” said Senator Keenan (D-Quincy). “Initiatives like Taste the Acre showcase the important role local restaurants and small businesses play in creating jobs, supporting economic growth, and highlighting the character of our cities and towns.”
Lowell has enjoyed significant success prioritizing small businesses. Programs like Mosaic Lowell provide funding to small businesses, which consistently have the great impact on the local economy, helping to grow local businesses, occupy vacant storefronts and expand the job market.
A 2023 Revenue report shows that 161 Culinary Arts establishments in Lowell generated $131,236,041 and even created 1,414 jobs.
“Small businesses are the lifeblood of any local economy,” said Representative Chan (D-Quincy), House Chair for the Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure. “Direct engagement between local government officials and our community leaders can help foster future growth and economic success in all the diverse corners of our state.”
When the tour was complete, Representative Hong thanked Chair Vargas and his staff for coordinating the visit.
“I am thankful to my colleagues who took the time to come down to the Acre,” Representative Hong said. “The goal of the visit was to share the vibrant community we have here in the city of Lowell with the rest of the state. I was happy to get everyone together for good food and good conversation. I also want to thank Jessica and Lyzzie for being amazing Taste the Acre hosts. “There is always something new to explore. “I encourage people to take the opportunity to Taste the Acre for themselves.”
Upcoming Taste the Acre tour schedules and tickets can be found at: https://luma.com/user/TastetheAcre
Left to Right: Lyzzie Bo of Taste the Acre; Senator John Keenan; Rep. Tara Hong; Rep. Andy Vargas; Rep. Tackey Chan; Jessica O’Hearn of Mosaic Lowell (Photo courtesy Nik Orellana of Rep. Vargas’s office)
