🌮 Ray is a Salem Legend

And you've probably never heard of him

Ernie Samora & Jacob Espinoza
July 14, 2025

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This is the first Salem Legend edition of our newsletter. Each week we will be highlighting a person in Salem who is having a massive impact on the community.

And I need your help!

Who is a Salem Legend who deserves recognition?

Excited we have a chance to recognize 52 of them every year.

Let’s not miss a chance to recognize someone making positive things happen in Salem.

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Salem's Newest Food Park Opens with a Bang

Local Produce Pioneer Brings Decades of Experience to Salem's Thriving Food Scene

Salem's food park scene just got a major boost with the opening of a new food cart destination in North Salem. After a successful grand opening weekend featuring live music, entertainment for kids, and free treats, Best Bite Food Park, located 3282 Silverton RD, is poised to become the next essential stop on Salem's culinary map.

From Strawberry Stand to Food Park Visionary

Behind this exciting venture is Ray, whose journey in the food industry began in 1989 with a simple roadside strawberry stand in Newberg. Today, Ray's Produce Inc. employs about 120 people and serves 90% of the Mexican restaurants in Oregon and Washington, even reaching the Tri Cities in Eastern Washington.

"We specialize in Hispanic [cuisine]. We know what they need for restaurants because we supply our customers with everything, from tomatoes to napkins or toothpicks," Ray explains. This comprehensive approach, combined with direct sourcing from farmers in Mexico and Canada, has allowed Ray's Produce to compete with major distributors while maintaining personal relationships with customers.

The food park represents a natural evolution of Ray's business philosophy. Located directly across from his warehouse at the former RV storage facility, the property was purchased six months ago with this specific vision in mind. Despite initial challenges with vandalism and infrastructure, Ray and his son-in-law Victor have transformed the space into a community destination.

Phase One Success, Big Plans Ahead

The current phase features 8-10 food trucks with ample parking for over 100 cars, addressing a common challenge at other Salem food parks. But Ray's vision extends far beyond the opening weekend. "Our plan is to have at least 20 [food trucks] because we have enough room and space," he shared.

Phase two, planned for completion by January or February 2026, will include indoor amenities like a coffee shop, drive-through, juice bar, ice cream station, arcade, and bar. The proximity to Ray's Produce warehouse creates unique advantages, allowing the park to provide vendors with everything from produce and meats to disposable supplies.

Part of Salem's Food Park Renaissance

This opening continues Salem's remarkable transformation into a food park destination. Since the pioneering Barrel & Keg pod opened in 2015, Salem has welcomed Beehive Station (2017), The Yard Food Park (2019), Fork Forty Food Hall (2020), and Checkpoint 221 (2023). Each has contributed to a dining culture that celebrates diversity, supports local entrepreneurs, and creates community gathering spaces.

Ray's park joins this ecosystem with several strategic advantages: exceptional parking capacity, supply chain synergies with his established produce business, and existing relationships throughout Salem's restaurant community. His company already provides custom packaging and supplies to local favorites like Raw Blends and Victor Eos.

A Community-Centered Vision

What sets Salem's food parks apart is their role as community builders. These spaces have become venues for birthday parties, company gatherings, and neighborhood events while providing affordable entry points for food entrepreneurs. Many successful Salem restaurants began as food trucks in these very parks.

Ray's food park operates from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., serving both lunch and dinner crowds. With plans for expanded hours and amenities, this location promises to become more than just a meal stop, it's designed to be a destination where community members gather over great food and shared experiences.

For Salem's food scene, Ray's park represents the perfect blend of entrepreneurial vision and community commitment, continuing the city's evolution into one of Oregon's most exciting food destinations.

Know a Salem legend who deserves recognition? Let me know by replying to this email.

Thanks for keeping up with Salem this week!

Spotted something interesting in town? Drop us a note at [email protected] We love hearing from you.

See you next Thursday,

Ernie