Ana Valdemoros, District 4
Ana has represented District Four residents on the City Council since 2019. Before being elected to the City Council, Ana served as an ex-officio member of Salt Lake City’s Business Advisory Board and the Food Policy Task Force with the Sustainability Department. As a Council Member, Ana served as the 2021 Redevelopment Agency (RDA) Board Chair.
Ana started her career in city planning with Salt Lake City, where she worked on various master plans and projects on the City’s Westside, including the North Temple Grand Boulevard plan in anticipation of the Airport TRAX line that opened on 2011. She then turned to working for the non-profit NeighborWorks where she worked closely with the River District Chamber, Salt Lake City Redevelopment Agency, and business owners in the area.
When Ana first graduated from college she spent her summer selling empanadas at the Downtown Farmer’s Market. In July 2016 Ana opened “Argentina’s Best Empanadas” selling empanadas filled with locally and sustainably grown ingredients.
From starting a food business and preparing her product at rented commercial kitchens, Ana quickly realized the need for commercially-sized incubator kitchen where products could be quickly made on a larger scale, and provide business resources to those startups that may need it. As the idea kept simmering in her mind, and with the help of a business partner, they worked for years to co-found Square Kitchen (located at 751 West 800 South) which opened its doors in spring 2018.
Square Kitchen was created to provide affordable commercial cooking space and foster food business opportunities for all food entrepreneurs. It’s a place where culinary talent can create, innovate, and thrive in the food business world. Ana is excited to express her love and advocacy for small businesses in her new role on the Council and will proudly represent District Four.