Sanchez Produce provides cemasúchil for Día de los Muertos
Día de los Muertos celebrates life by honoring death and the departed, traditionally on November 1–2. “The marigold [cemasúchil] is an important flower for the day of the dead; it is believed to guide the spirits of our departed ones to our altars,” says Jesus Sanchez of Sanchez Produce in Canyon Country. Photos courtesy of Sanchez Produce
We take a lot of pride in our marigolds; every seed is planted one by one and a lot of hard work goes into them during the hot summer days,” Jesus adds.
Siblings Nelly, Luis and Jesus Sanchez all work together with their parents to grow and sell produce and flowers at their roadside stand.
Sanchez Produce began growing marigolds after Nelly came back from visiting her grandmother and experiencing Día de los Muertos traditions with her. To honor those traditions here, Nelly with her father decided to grow cemasúchil. The strong smell of this flower is meant to guide loved ones back home, while its short lifespan represents how life can be short but sweet.
Harvest dates for this year will be October 18 thru November 1. They always sell out, so plan accordingly!
SANCHEZ PRODUCE
16230 Sierra Hwy, Canyon Country
@SanchezProduce
Did you know that marigolds are also edible? Try them in salad, stir-fry, frozen in ice cubes, as garnish on drinks and in a tea.
“Growing the marigolds is important to us since it helps keep our traditions alive. Also being able to help the community and others celebrate and remember their loved ones who have passed,” says Jesus.
ABOUT THE CONTRIBUTOR
Before becoming a publisher/editor, Tami Chu used her first masters degree in special education to teach middle school and her second masters degree in holistic nutrition to teach nutrition classes in her community. She finds that her current job utilizes every skill she has ever acquired.
