An edible Local Hero is an exceptional individual, business, or organization making a positive impact on New Mexico’s food systems. These honorees nurture our communities through food, service, and socially and environmentally sustainable business practices. Edible New Mexico readers nominate and vote for their favorite local chefs, growers, artisans, advocates, and other food professionals in two dozen categories—including this year’s new Innovator award. In each issue of edible, we feature interviews with a handful of the winners, allowing us to get better acquainted with them and the important work they do. Please join us in thanking these Local Heroes for being at the forefront of New Mexico’s local food movement.

Talin Market World Food Fare
An Interview with Victor Limary, Director of Operations

Best Retail

Talin Market World Food Fare.

Growing up in his family’s grocery business and helping his grandmother prepare meals in his youth, Victor Limary developed a passion for food. Limary grew up in Albuquerque after having emigrated with his family from Laos. Despite taking a detour to pursue a career in computers, he now manages Talin Market, New Mexico’s largest international grocer, importing specialty goods from around the world.

What has been the biggest challenge for Talin over the years and how have you overcome it?

Finding and getting all of our exotic products to the middle of the desert is the biggest challenge. It’s always disappointing to tell a customer that something is not available, but we’ve worked hard at anticipating customer needs and food trends. We’re always looking for new ways to bring the exotic to New Mexico.

Victor Limary, director of operations.

What has been your experience with purchasing locally grown or processed foods in New Mexico? Are there any specific foods that you wish you could procure from local farms or businesses?

A lot of what we sell are exotic or imported foods that don’t always lend themselves to being produced locally. However, we’ve worked with some local farms and businesses, but are always looking for more, especially produce.

What has been the most rewarding part of running Talin?

The best part of the job is seeing a customer ecstatic that they have the ingredients and the knowledge they need to make that special dish or meal. It feels great to know that we’ve helped them make some new, special memories.

Tell us something surprising.

I’m surrounded by food all day, and there are many times when I don’t know what to eat.

What plans do you have for the future?

We’re expanding and remodeling our tea shop and restaurant area.

Is there anything else you’d like to share with edible readers?

I love learning from our customers and sharing tidbits of information about food. I know that I’m in good company when I see complete strangers meet while shopping at Talin, ask about the strange items in the other’s basket, and end up becoming friends.

88 Louisiana SE, Albuquerque
talinmarket.com

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Edible celebrates New Mexico's food culture, season by season. We believe that knowing where our food comes from is a powerful thing. With our high-quality, aesthetically pleasing and informative publication, we inspire readers to support and celebrate the growers, producers, chefs, beverage and food artisans, and other food professionals in our community.