“If you want good tamales [in Arizona], you gotta eat ‘em on the black market,” declared Fox News contributor Katie Pavlich on the Gutfeld Show in April 2023. #FreeTheTamales was trending on Twitter at the time due to a viral campaign launched by Americans for Prosperity and The LIBRE Initiative that turned heads and captivated the state. But the journey to get to that point and eventually circumvent the governor’s initial veto did not come without its challenges.
Arizona has long been known for its rich Hispanic culture that’s deeply woven into the fabric of the state’s identity, illustrated by the fact that nearly one-third of the state’s population is Hispanic. For these reasons, it may come as a surprise that until March 2024, it was illegal in Arizona to sell homemade tamales on the street as they qualify as perishable goods according to a food safety regulation.
“One of the common stories you would hear about single moms, they would go out into the community with the best of intentions because they just wanted to put food on the table,” explains Jonathan Soto Robles, Deputy Director of Grassroots for LIBRE Arizona. “Their investments would go to waste because the state would show up and throw away all the money that they had in producing these foods.”
The Arizona law prohibited food vendors of all kinds from selling homemade goods that could spoil to the public. For many, small food businesses are not just a source of income but a way to share their rich cultural heritage. “It’s not only a meal, it’s a way of life,” says Soto Robles.
In an effort to loosen restrictions, The Cottage Food Bill — otherwise known as the ‘Tamale Bill’ — made its way through the legislature and would have exempted certain food products and kitchens from routine inspections, making Arizona a viable environment for many food vendors. But in April 2023, after sailing through both the House and Senate, the Bill landed on Governor Katie Hobbs’ desk. Despite bipartisan backing, Governor Hobbs vetoed the bill, igniting controversy. This unexpected veto quashed efforts to unlock economic opportunities and boost the local economy with a single stroke.
“I was shocked that she vetoed the Bill. We’re the legislature and you can’t just veto things that have almost unanimous support,” stated Warren Petersen, President of Arizona State Senate.
This scenario pitted grassroots organizations against gubernatorial authority. Americans for Prosperity (AFP) and The LIBRE Initiative harnessed grassroots power to reignite momentum behind the Bill and launched 'Free The Tamale.' AFP leveraged their relationships in Capitol Hill, saturated airwaves with information campaigns, secured leading stories in local publications, provided testimony and direct lobbying while The LIBRE Initiative engaged an impassioned Hispanic community eager for their voices to be heard.
“We don’t seek to be dependent on government. We seek for government to protect our freedoms so we can achieve our goals and our American dream,” emphasized Soto Robles.
At this fight's heart were advocates like Carmen, a business owner who immigrated from Mexico in early 1990s. Witnessing food's power to bring people together and recognizing her community's love for tamales led Carmen's business flourish. However, personal success wasn't enough; she aimed to help others struggling in her community by getting involved. Carmen partnered with AFP and The LIBRE Initiative on community outreach efforts preparing hundreds of tamales for an organized rally serving them legislators as reminder what was at stake.
This show solidarity paid off when Arizona House Senate defied governor’s initial veto applying political pressure ultimately forcing her hand sign ‘Tamale Bill.’
Governor Hobbs won initial battle but AFP LIBRE backed determined food vendors Hispanic community members won war highlighting importance empowering individuals advocate communities achieve policy victories expanding freedom economic opportunity.
“It’s not just about tamales,” Jonathan says. “It’s about economic opportunity finding yourself using your skills passions create something valuable others.”
