Using the Library of Congress as a point of reference, through our Heritage Months, we celebrate the history and contributions of various cultures by providing education and context as well as employee recognition, deeply rooted in storytelling around food, family and tradition.
Between September 15 and October 15, Americans observe Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month to acknowledge the culture, heritage, history, and contributions of those whose ancestry originated in Mexico, Spain, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. Beginning in 1968, this time was observed as “Hispanic Heritage Week,” but in 1988, President Ronald Reagan expanded the holiday to a full month to commemorate the anniversary of independence (September 15) for Latin American countries such as Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. (source: CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion)
Latinx Meaning:
[ luh-tee-neks, la‐, lat-n-eks ]
A gender-neutral term to describe a person of Latin American cultural or ethnic identity, to be used in place of Latina or Latino. Many words in Spanish and other languages incorporate gender, which requires knowing someone else’s gender to affirmatively speak to or about them. Latinx avoids this gendered aspect of the language and can be used as a singular or plural adjective. (source: The Trevor Project)
Meet the chef behind our Fricasé de Pollo recipe.
Perishable Area Manager, 19 years of incredible service
“Crecí con Fricasé y, para mí, eso es exactamente lo que es la comida reconfortante. Estoy muy orgulloso de haber aprendido a preparar platos puertorriqueños auténticos, tanto de mi abuela como de mi madre, y ahora poder compartir estos platos con mis hijos y me hace muy feliz verlos disfrutar de las mismas comidas tanto como yo. ¡Cada familia puertorriqueña tiene su versión de este plato y poder usar los increíbles ingredientes de Wegmans para ayudar a llevar este plato a la mesa es de lo que se trata cocinar!”
“This is a dish that I grew up with and to me is exactly what comfort food is. I’m very proud to have learned authentic Puerto Rican dishes from both my grandmother and my mother, and now being able to share these dishes with my children and see them enjoy them as much as I do makes me very happy. Every Puerto Rican family has their version of this dish, and being able to use the amazing Wegmans ingredients to help bring this to the table is what cooking is all about for me!”
We asked our employees to share their stories around food, family, and traditions.
Front End Manager, 3 years of incredible service
“Al crecer en Colombia, había un plato que era una gran parte de las tradiciones y recuerdos de mi familia: Carne en Posta, con Arroz con Coco y Patacones. Como latinos, vemos la comida como algo más que un simple sustento; es una fuente de alegría y un símbolo de nuestra identidad cultural. La comida está entrelazada con nuestras celebraciones, tradiciones y vidas cotidianas, conectándonos con nuestras raíces y herencia. Este plato trae nostalgia y recuerdos preciados del tiempo que pasé con mis seres queridos.”
“Growing up in Colombia, there is one particular dish that holds a deep significance in my family’s traditions and memories: Carne en Posta, con Arroz con Coco y Patacones. This dish brings nostalgia and warmth as it brings back cherished moments spent with my loved ones. In my culture, food plays an important role. As Latinos, we view food as more than just sustenance; it is a source of joy and a symbol of our cultural identity. Food is intertwined with our celebrations, traditions, and daily lives, serving as a powerful thread that connects us to our roots and heritage.”
Perishable Area Manager, 19 years of incredible service
“La mayoría de mis recuerdos y cómo aprendí sobre Argentina y nuestra cultura fue a través de la comida. Mi papá fue entrenado para ser carnicero de oficio en Argentina. Desde muy joven, me inculcó su respeto por la comida y de dónde proviene. Al crecer, toda nuestra familia y los amigos de todos se reunían para disfrutar de una gran comida cada semana. Era un evento de todo el día, y todos ayudaban a preparar la comida. Un plato que tenía un lugar especial en mi corazón eran las empanadas de mi abuela. Mi papá nos asignaba todas las tareas, desde terminar de preparar el relleno hasta rellenar, sellar y freír.”
“Most of my memories and how I learned about Argentina and our culture was through food. My father was trained to be a butcher by trade in Argentina; his respect for food and where it comes from was instilled in me from a very young age. Growing up, my father always made sure that the entire family and everyone’s friends came together to have a large meal every week, typically on Sundays. This family dinner would be an all-day event, and everyone who came to the table also helped prepare the meal in some way. One dish that always held a special place in my heart was my grandmother’s empanadas. They were always the highlight of the meal; my dad would gather everyone in the kitchen and assign us all a task, from finishing the filling to stuffing, sealing, and frying.”
Store Manager in Training, 3 years of incredible service
“La comida juega un papel muy importante en la cultura mexicana, probablemente el más importante. Hablemos, por ejemplo, de los tacos. Son tan diferentes en México, desde el tipo de tortilla que se usa hasta las carnes y los rellenos. El taco que es más especial para mí son los Tacos de Carnitas. Crecí en Pátzcuaro, Michoacán, que es una ciudad a 200 millas al oeste de la Ciudad de México. Es famosa por sus carnitas, que se hacen con cerdo, orégano mexicano y sal, servidas con una salsa verde fresca hecha de chiles serranos, aguacates, cilantro y lima. Comíamos esos tacos casi todos los fines de semana, el domingo, y las sobras el lunes.”
“Food plays a huge role in the Mexican culture, probably the most important. Take, for instance, tacos. These are so different in Mexico from the type of tortilla and corn used to the meats and foods that fill them. The tacos most special to my family and me are Carnitas Tacos. I grew up in Patzcuaro Michoacan, which is a town 200 miles west of Mexico City, and it’s famous for the type of carnitas, which is pork cooked in its own fat with Mexican oregano and salt in a large copper cauldron served with a fresh green salsa made from serrano chiles, avocados, cilantro, and lime. We ate these tacos almost every weekend on Sunday afternoon, and we would eat leftovers on Monday.”
Wegmans is proud to partner with Hispanic/Latinx owned and founded businesses.
A Mexican American food brand that’s rooted in family, Siete creates delicious, heritage-inspired products—such as grain-free chips, taco seasonings, tortillas, and more—using better-for-you ingredients.
The team at Loisa believe that all good things start in the kitchen. Their classic seasonings and sauces are crafted with care using only natural ingredients, so that everyone can enjoy Latin flavor for generations to come.
Owner Hector Saldivar brings the flavors from his Mexican roots to life, giving customers a taste of home. Using family recipes passed down through generations, Tia Lupita creates hot sauces that add flavorful heat to every dish.
Bridging the Language Barrier
As we’ve expanded our footprint along the East Coast, the diversity of our employees and customers has grown considerably. To promote inclusivity and to facilitate communication, we now offer our employees a variety of language programs and tools including Spanish and English as a Second Language courses and access to several language-learning applications.
Featured Article
When we were opening our first store in Washington, D.C., we knew it was important to build relationships with organizations that support and empower the LGBTQ+ community. We reached out to the DC LGBTQ+ Community Center and have been helping with their food pantry and more ever since.