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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)
We asked our employees to share their stories around food, family, and traditions.
Front End Manager, 13 years of incredible service
“Un plato en particular que me parece con sabor de hogar son las empanadas de carne. Entiendo que cada país tiene su versión de la empanada, pero la forma en que se hacen en Argentina es diferente. Tardan un rato en hacerse; no utilizamos muchos sabores complejos ni picantes. Por lo general, este platillo tiene carne molida, ajo, mucha cebolla y cualquier condimento que desee agregar. Por lo general, mi madre, mis hermanas y yo nos reuníamos y nos divertíamos mientras las preparábamos durante horas. Es el plato el que cuando lo comes, haces una sonrisa tonta y bailas un poco porque te reconforta. La comida es muy importante en Argentina. Nos encanta pasar un buen rato y comer bien.”
“A particular dish that resonates as home to me would be beef empanadas. I understand every country has their version of an empanada, but Argentina’s way of making them hits different. They take a while to make; we don’t use a lot of complex flavors or spiciness. The dish typically has ground beef, garlic, lots of onion, and whatever seasonings you feel like adding. Typically, my mom, sisters, and I would get together and have fun while making these for hours. It’s the dish that when you’re eating it, you do a goofy smile and a little dance because it just gives you comfort. Food is huge in Argentina. We love to have a good time and eat great food.”
Front End Manager, 4 years of incredible service
“Colombia es nuestra casa para mi familia y para mí. Una celebración cultural que ocupa un lugar especial en nuestros corazones es el Carnaval de Barranquilla. Este espectáculo de cuatro días es un fiel reflejo de nuestra rica herencia, que se caracteriza por bailes interminables, colores vibrantes, música animada y disfraces. Durante el carnaval, toda la ciudad se llena de vida y late con una energía contagiosa. El Carnaval de Barranquilla es un testimonio de nuestra alegría, resiliencia y creatividad colectivas. Muestra la diversidad de la cultura colombiana, lo que nos permite expresarnos a través de la música, la danza y las exhibiciones artísticas. Es un momento en que abrazamos nuestra identidad cultural con orgullo y celebramos las tradiciones únicas que nos hacen quienes somos.”
“Colombia is a place me and my family call home. One cultural celebration that holds a special place in our hearts is the Carnaval de Barranquilla. This four-day extravaganza is a true reflection of our rich heritage, characterized by never-ending dancing, vibrant colors, lively music, and costumes. During the carnival, the entire city of Baranquilla comes alive, pulsating with an infectious energy. The Carnaval de Barranquilla is a testament to our collective joy, resilience, and creativity. It showcases the diversity of Colombian culture, allowing us to express ourselves through music, dance, and artistic displays. It is a time when we embrace our cultural identity with pride and celebrate the unique traditions that make us who we are.”
Deli Manager, 17 years of incredible service
“El Mes de la Herencia Hispana es significativo para mí porque es un momento para reflexionar sobre lo que significa ser latino y lo lejos que hemos llegado como comunidad. Es un momento para sentirme orgulloso de mi herencia y agradecer la unidad de una comunidad tan increíble. Me gusta reflexionar sobre el impacto que la cultura hispánica ha tenido en la configuración de otras culturas y lugares. Además es otoño, el momento perfecto para tomar una taza de café con leche caliente y un pastelito.”
“Hispanic Heritage Month is meaningful to me because it’s a time to reflect on what it means to be Latinx and how far we’ve come as a community. It’s a time to be proud about my heritage and have gratitude for the unity of such an amazing community. I like to reflect on the impact the Hispanic culture has had in shaping other cultures and places. It’s also fall, the perfect time for a hot cup of café con leche and a pastelito (a little pie treat).”
Featured Article
In Rochester, New York, we partner with many organizations that support local youth, including some that specifically focus on Hispanic youth. We’re a sponsor of the Rochester Hispanic Youth Baseball League, and we recently partnered with Eugenio María de Hostos Charter School on our Wegmans Work Scholarship Program. The EMHCS students who graduated from the program in June 2024 received our employee scholarship and are continuing their careers with Wegmans as they decide what’s next.
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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)
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.”
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.
