IICA informs representatives of Coronado of its upcoming “International Traditional Foods and Tourism Fair” and invites the community to participate

San José, February 26, 2024 (IICA). The Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), through its Community Outreach Association (APC-IICA), informed representatives of various social groups active in Vázquez de Coronado, the Costa Rican canton where the organization’s headquarters are located, of preparations for the long-established “International Traditional Foods and Tourism Fair.” This year’s event will be taking place on March 9.

At the meeting, the Director General of IICA, Manuel Otero, highlighted the importance of strengthening community ties, and underlined the Institute's commitment to the local community, and to Costa Rica in general.

“One of the decisions I took when I became Director General was to open the doors of the institution, and the creation of the Plaza of Agriculture of the Americas was a direct consequence. We saw it as a way of embracing the community of Coronado, all Costa Ricans, and the entire continent, along with the Interpretative Center for Tomorrow’s Agriculture (CIMAG), the Forest of the Americas, and the Digital Fabrication Laboratory (Fab Lab). The idea was to raise awareness of the fact that agriculture has a future, and create something that would serve as a permanent reminder that IICA belongs to Coronado, to Costa Rica, and to the countries of the Americas,” Otero said.

The meeting was attended by the mayor elect of Vázquez de Coronado, Yamileth Quesada; the deputy mayor elect, Oscar Delgado; councilor elect Alejandro González; the President of the Coronado Lions Club, Florentino Mayorga; the head of Group 109 of the Coronado Scouts and Guides Association, Leda Lizano; the President of the Cantonal Union of Associations, Javier Rueda; the President of the Association for Young People with Special Needs, Gabriela Lizano; and the President of the Añoranzas Senior Citizens group, Maritza Morales.

Also taking part were Wendy Marín, a representative of the Cantonal Agricultural Center of Coronado; Xinia Ponce, a representative of the José Ana Marín School; Adriana Miranda, from Finca Biamonte; Minor Alfaro, General Manager of Kaffa Café; Mayra León, from the Sports Association for Prevention and the Restoration of Social Values among Children and Teenagers; and Shirleny Sevilla, from the Sports Committee.

Amanda Fernández, President of APC-IICA, pointed out that the origins of the food fair –whose headquarters have been located in San Isidro de Coronado since the 1970s– date all the way back to the Institute’s founding. The objective has always been to raise funds for social projects through the sale of traditional dishes from IICA’s 34 member countries in the Americas.

“This year’s event, number 42, will be similar to those held previously, showcasing dishes from many countries in the Americas. There will also be a tourism fair, with support from Costa Rica’s Tourism Institute, which is a very positive development,” Fernández emphasized.

The mayor elect of Vázquez de Coronado, Yamileth Quesada, said: “I want to thank Amanda and IICA for receiving us, and you for being here, because I know that we’re going to work hard for this canton together, united in a single purpose, which is to move our community forward.”

“We have a group of 35 young people with different cognitive disabilities, and we’re very keen to take part in this activity, because it’s not often that we find ourselves included. And part of our vision is to show the children of the community that they also have the right to participate in cultural activities,” commented Gabriela Lizano, President of the Association for Young People with Special Needs.

More information:
Institutional Communication Division.
comunicacion.institucional@iica.int