Yescenia Mota

Yescenia Mota joined the Department of Cultural Affairs & Special Events in 2003 as a Special Events Coordinator in the Programming Division. Shortly after joining the Department she was assigned to manage the Chicago City Markets program where she overhauled the vendor application process and changed regulations to ensure only high quality, local produce would be offered. Ms. Mota works closely with multiple City departments to ensure that the Chicago City Markets adheres to required city codes and regulations.

In 2011, Ms. Mota was appointed to oversee a Mayoral initiative to address low food access areas and food insecurity in Chicago. She established eight markets in underserved neighborhoods and secured a $88,000 USDA Farmers Market Promotional Program Grant to subsidize vendors at the markets.  Ms. Mota is an active member of the City of Chicago’s Good Food Purchasing Policy Task Force and the Chicago Food Policy Action Council, curating programs and workshops for the Annual Chicago Food Summit.