CHICAGO, April 18, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Following a successful Las Vegas
test launch (https://www.cbrands.com/blogs/news/modelo-and-juixxe-team-up-to-
celebrate-street-vendors-for-the-launch-of-modelo-spiked-aguas-frescas), where
Modelo Spiked Aguas Frescas was the #1 new Flavored Malt Beverage multipack and
single serve*, Modelo is celebrating the expansion of Modelo Spiked Aguas
Frescas to strong Modelo markets across the country by once again honoring the
street vendor community that made traditional aguas frescas a beloved cultural
staple. Partnering with actress Francia Raisa and Juixxe, a changemaker famous
for uplifting the street vendor community, Modelo surprised the owner of Oxnard,
CA-based Las Aguas 805, Salvador Gutierrez, with a new, custom-built street cart
and a $5,000 cash gift to help him fuel the fiesta in his community with
delicious aguas frescas for years to come.
"As a native Angeleno with a proud Mexican and Honduran heritage, it was so
meaningful to partner with Juixxe and Modelo Spiked Aguas Frescas to honor
street vendors," said actress Francia Raisa. "These small business owners
provide the flavor that brings communities together and Salvador, the vendor I
was able to recognize in partnership with Modelo Spiked Aguas Frescas, is the
perfect representation of someone who supports and builds community through his
delicious aguas frescas."
Gutierrez was selected for this opportunity thanks to his commitment to drive
his family, culture and community forward. Since he opened Las Aguas 805 over
three years ago, Gutierrez has worked to grow his business by perfecting his
aguas frescas flavors and continuing to be a positive influence for those around
him.
"Modelo Spiked Aguas Frescas is thrilled to once again be teaming up with Juixxe
to surprise another hard-working street vendor in Salvador. Our product wouldn't
exist without the inspiration and cultural importance that street vendors bring
to our communities each and every day, so to be able to gift him a new street
cart and funds to keep growing his business is incredibly special," said Swathi
Rao, Senior Brand Manager, Modelo Spiked Aguas Frescas. "We also added a new
face this year in Francia Raisa and her passion for supporting this program
really elevated it to the next level."
"I started this business to make ends meet but what I wasn't prepared for was
the amount of love and support I received from my community. They rallied behind
me to support my business and my dream," said Gutierrez. "With this new cart
from Modelo Spiked Aguas Frescas, I can keep giving that love back through my
aguas frescas and continue to make my daughters proud."?
To further support the street vendor community in the Los Angeles area, Modelo
is also donating $5,000 to the LA-based economic justice organization, Inclusive
Action for the City. Founded in 2008, Inclusive Action aims to eliminate income
inequality, reduce the racial wealth gap, and create community power. Alongside
their partners in the Los Angeles and California Street Vending Campaigns,
Inclusive Action has directly supported the street vending community by
legalizing street vending, creating pathways to formalizing their businesses and
deploying healthy capital to grow their entrepreneurship.
"With an estimated 50,000 street vendors operating in Los Angeles, their
contributions to the economic, social, and cultural fabric of the city cannot be
underestimated," says Rudy Espinoza, Executive Director, Inclusive Action for
the City. "The funding from Modelo Spiked Aguas Frescas will provide direct cash
assistance to these entrepreneurs who often lack access to resources required to
build thriving businesses."
This moment represents the second time Modelo Spiked Aguas Frescas has supported
the street vendor community. To celebrate the initial test launch of Modelo
Spiked Aguas Frescas in Las Vegas last year, Modelo and Juixxe surprised five
street vendors from the Los Angeles area by flying them to Las Vegas for an
exclusive first taste of Modelo Spiked Aguas Frescas and rewarding them with
$5,000 each to help fuel their business.
Modelo Spiked Aguas Frescas is now available in 15 states, along with Chicago
and New York City, that represent more than 80% of the national volume for
Modelo, in four varieties:
* Modelo Spiked Aguas Frescas Piña (Pineapple) is an aromatic, juicy pineapple

    flavor with a balanced sweetness for sessionability in a light-yellow color
  * Modelo Spiked Aguas Frescas Flor de Jamaica (Hibiscus) is a sweet, floral
    flavor that contains fruit notes with a low level of sourness and a dark
    reddish coloring fitting of a hibiscus flower
  * Modelo Spiked Aguas Frescas Sandía (Watermelon) is a refreshing flavor
    profile that has a sweet and indulgent watermelon juice taste, aroma and
    color
  * Modelo Spiked Aguas Frescas Pepino y Limón (Cucumber Lime) is a fresh taste
    of cucumber notes, balanced with lime sweetness in a light green color

All four flavors are available in a 12oz 12pk variety pack and Piña is available
in a 24oz single serve can.
All flavors are 4.5% ABV, and have Â