Florida Heritage Foods

Cultural Collections

Latin American

Florida’s cultural history is shaped by a wide range of diverse influences from Latin America. Like Florida, Latin American peoples and cultures represent a diverse fusion of international influences from Africa, Asia, Europe and Indigenous communities. Diversity in Latin America is reflected in the wide range of unique crops and cuisines that flavor Florida’s agricultural and culinary history today. From historic Caribbean communities in Miami and Tampa to Central American farms workers today, Latin American peoples and cultures have always played a critical role in Florida’s agricultural history and culinary heritage. The crops below represent a few foods that are significant to Latin American history in Florida as well as more recently introduced crops that are gaining popularity today.