National Corn Month

National Corn Month is observed throughout July and celebrates corn’s many roles in food, fuel, and culture. Also known as maize, corn appears in foods such as tortillas, popcorn, cornbread, and polenta, while its derivatives are used in animal feed, biofuel, sweeteners, and products such as cosmetics, glue, and fabrics.

Corn began as teosinte, a small wild grass, and was transformed through more than 9,000 years of selective cultivation. Indigenous peoples in what is now Mexico developed the crop, which later spread throughout the Americas and around the world. Corn also holds deep cultural significance: it has been central to the food, art, stories, and traditions of many Mesoamerican, Native American, Latino, and other communities. In some Mesoamerican traditions, corn is regarded as sacred and connected with creation and the origins of life. Learn more about corn’s cultural history through the Los Angeles Public Library’s discussion of corn as a sacred grain.

How to Observe National Corn Month

Celebrate by enjoying corn in one of its many forms, such as fresh corn on the cob, popcorn, tortillas, or cornbread. Prepare a corn-based meal, try a new recipe, or visit a local farm stand for fresh sweet corn. You can also learn about corn’s agricultural history and cultural significance, taking care to approach Indigenous traditions respectfully rather than treating sacred ceremonies as entertainment.

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