Food Memories of Latin America

In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, today we’re celebrating Florida’s Latin-American food cultures. We’re sharing an excerpt from a conversation titled Food Memories of Latin America. This Zoom discussion was part of Conversations in the Neighborhood: Let’s Talk about Food, a discussion series presented by Florida Humanities, the University of Florida’s Center for the Humanities and the Public Sphere, and the City of Gainesville. We’ll hear from educators, activists and home cooks about how their Latin American heritage influences the way they eat. We’ve edited the conversation for length and clarity.The discussion was moderated by Margarita Vargas-Betancourt, the Latin American and Caribbean Special Collections Librarian at the George A. Smathers Libraries of the University of Florida.Panelists include: Wanda Depaz-Ibanez, Puerto Rico native and retired co-owner of Emiliano's Bakery and Emiliano's Restaurant. Linsey Derival, a Haitian-born Afro-Latina who spent her childhood in the Dominican Republic and adolescence in the United States. Mariana Rodrigues, an activist who particpated in feminist and LGBTQ movements in Argentina, Colombia, Uruguay, and Brazil. Cecilia "CC" Suarez,  assistant professor in the Department of Agricultural Education and Communication (AEC) focusing on intercultural communication and global leadership. Marisella Veiga, a Cuban-born writer, lecturer and home cook Related episodes: Taco Bus Founder Rene Valenzuela on Cinco de Mayo, His Life-Changing Accident & What’s Next Miami Herald’s Carlos Frías on Cuban Coffee, Edible Iguanas & Winning the James Beard Award Michelle Bernstein’s Jewish-Latin ‘Mishmosh’ of a Life