Food - The Independent Florida Alligator

Arepa Burger, a Venezuelan food truck, waits to open in downtown Gainesville on Sept. 7, 2024. | Arepa Burger, un camión de comida venezolana, espera para abrir en el centro de Gainesville el 7 de septiembre de 2024.

NEWS

A glimpse into Gainesville’s South American cuisine

By Isabela Reinoso | Nov. 13, 2024

Some restaurants have grown alongside the Hispanic community, which makes up about 12% of Gainesville residents. Others are just now following in their footsteps by opening their businesses. Beyond fulfilling the community’s cravings, Venezuelan restaurant owners have found themselves creating meaningful connections with their customers, which in return fuels their entrepreneurial spirit.

NEWS

Un vistazo a la cocina sudamericana de Gainesville

By Isabela Reinoso | Oct. 28, 2024

Algunos restaurantes han crecido junto a la comunidad hispana, que representa alrededor del 12% de los residentes de Gainesville. Otros acaban de seguir sus pasos abriendo sus negocios.

Taste of the World organizers gather around to greet guests Friday, Sept. 29. | Los organizadores de Taste of the World se reúnen para recibir a los invitados el viernes 29 de septiembre.

NEWS

La Liga de Mujeres Latinas celebra culturas a través del evento de comida Taste of the World

By Eneida Escobar | Oct. 2, 2024

El Museo de Historia Matheson en Gainesville fue sede de Taste of the World, uno de los eventos del festival que celebra el vigésimo aniversario del Festival de Cine Latino de Gainesville, el 27 de septiembre de 6 p.m. a 8 p.m.

NEWS

Latina Women’s League celebrates cultures through Taste of the World food event

By Eneida Escobar | Oct. 2, 2024

The Latina Women's League hosted its Taste of the World event at the Matheson Museum. A variety of South American cuisines were served.

NEWS | CAMPUS

UF dining hall workers struggle after sudden layoffs by campus food provider

By Grace McClung | May 28, 2024

Robin Lalande has fed students in UF’s dining halls for years, but now she’s struggling to feed herself. She and several other employees of Chartwells Higher Education, UF’s campus food provider, are relying on unemployment benefits and food stamps after sudden mass layoffs earlier this month.

A circus performer entertains attendees during the Big Sho at Celebration Catering Warehouse on Saturday, April 15, 2023.

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

Big: Culture & Arts Festival brings creatives across the state to Gainesville

By Benjamin Miller | Mar. 18, 2024

Big: Cultures & Arts Festival is set to take place in an empty lot between Porters Community and South Main Street, breathing life into the venue with Florida’s music, fashion, visual art and film scene. Musical artists based in Gainesville and cities across the state, including Orlando, Jacksonville, Tampa and Miami, are set to appear in numbers April 13.

An employee prepares food at Muñecas Taco Garden and Bar on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024.

SPANISH

Muñecas organiza gran inauguración por su nueva ubicación en la cuarta Ave Food Park

By Laura Quintana and Bonny Matejowsky | Jan. 16, 2024

Una gran fiesta de inauguración con temática de la década de 1920 atrajo a una multitud deslumbrante y glamorosa el 14 de enero, y muchos de los asistentes al evento lucieron el papel. Los invitados se pusieron vestidos brillantes, abrigos de piel antiguos y trajes de tres piezas alineados en el estacionamiento, listos para asistir a la gran inauguración de Muñecas Jardín de Tacos y Bar [Muñecas Taco Garden and Bar].

THE AVENUE | FOOD

Owner of popular Venezuelan food truck La Maracucha purchases Ice Cream and Crêpes Eatery

By Alexandra Burns | Oct. 1, 2023

Since moving to Gainesville and opening the Venezuelan-styled food truck La Maracucha three years ago, the couple’s journey has finally led them to opening a brick-and mortar store.

Cole Wilson poses with Olivia Roberts, Owen Shimberg and J. Rex Farrior in front of The College Dog on Saturday, January 21, 2023.

THE AVENUE | FOOD

‘A good glizzy’: The College Dog becomes latest off-campus hotspot

By Alexandra Burns | Aug. 23, 2023

The College Dog, a pop-up hot dog stand in Gainesville, attracts students strolling the streets or stumbling from Midtown with a hot dog suit and beer broiled hot dogs.

Sublime Tacos is seen on Thursday, May 11, 2023.

THE AVENUE | FOOD

Sublime Tacos announces relocation at the end of June

By Gracey Davis | May 15, 2023

On May 9, Sublime Tacos announced its plans to close its 4th Ave Food Park location and move to a drive-thru-only location at 1818 NE Waldo Road in East Gainesville. The announcement gives hope to East Gainesville residents who are excited to see more food options moving to their side of town.

Alliance Francaise leaders stand in front of their booth at the Roots and Herbs Festival Saturday, April 8, 2023.

NEWS

Santa Fe College hosts Roots and Herbs Festival to communicate origins of food

By Morgan Liotta | Apr. 10, 2023

The festival was hosted by the Florida Heritage Foods Initiative, a Santa Fe College program that focuses on connecting history and culture to food. The event, hosted at Haile’s Farmers Market, drew hundreds Saturday morning.

Workers at Germain’s Chicken Sandwiches serving a guest at their new location at 220 NW 8th Avenue Friday, Dec. 30, 2022.

THE AVENUE | FOOD

Germain’s Chicken Sandwiches opens first permanent location

By Lauren Whiddon | Jan. 9, 2023

Transitioning from a food truck to a brick-and-mortar location wasn’t easy and wouldn’t have been possible without the support of the community, Seraphin said. The former food truck had served chicken sandwiches around Gainesville since 2021.

Crane Ramen preparing for a celebratory New Year’s Eve party the night before their official closing Saturday, Dec. 31, 2022.

THE AVENUE | FOOD

Gainesville mourns beloved downtown restaurant Crane Ramen

By Loren Miranda | Jan. 9, 2023

Crane Ramen, Gainesville’s first specialty ramen restaurant, shut its doors permanently Dec. 31, 2022.

Susan Percival, Food Science and Human Nutrition Department chair, smiles while the judges taste chili during the Chili Cook Off on Friday, Oct. 15, 2021. The fundraising event was a part of Food Week 2021.

NEWS | CAMPUS

UF Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences kicks off Food Week

By Alissa Gary | Oct. 17, 2022

The Food Science and Human Nutrition department of UF’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences is hosting its annual Food Week from Oct. 17 to Oct. 21. Each day will feature food-related demonstrations. The events take place in various campus locations, with some events overlapping throughout the day.

A 2021 report from the city based on USDA data identified 11 food deserts — low-income areas where a substantial number of residents have low access to a supermarket or large grocery store — in Gainesville.

METRO

‘We’re the forgotten side of town’: Food deserts in East Gainesville

By Carissa Allen | May 23, 2022

In the cocoon of East Gainesville, there is only one convenient, accessible grocery store: Walmart Supercenter. The city has no current proposals to build a grocery store on the east side — despite reserving $3.3 million for this purpose.

A worker at Zeezenia International Market delivers Mediterranean food to a customer on Friday, Feb. 11.

THE AVENUE | LIFESTYLE

Avenue recommendations: the best Valentine’s Day date spots in Gainesville

By Avenue Staff | Feb. 14, 2022

Whether you’re meeting up with a last-minute Tinder match or celebrating an anniversary, each of the Avenue staff’s date night selections will put a smile on your face.

THE AVENUE | FOOD

A guide to vegan food options in Gainesville

By Elizabeth Dwyer | Jan. 28, 2022

The vast plant-based meal options in Gainesville provide citizens with an easy transition to this way of living without sacrificing their favorite dishes.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT LIFE

UF graduate student wins $25,000 award in Deep Space Food Challenge

By Maia Botek | Jan. 5, 2022

The UF doctoral student led one of 18 U.S. teams selected as winners in the Deep Space Food Challenge to each receive a $25,000 prize. The challenge, hosted by NASA and the Canadian Space Agency, sought tasty solutions to preserve nutrients in food for years-long journeys to Mars and beyond.

METRO | BUSINESS

Gainesville Nothing Bundt Cakes location to open in February

By Faith Buckley | Nov. 3, 2021

Amber and Derrick Robinson, the owners of the new Nothing Bundt Cakes franchise, will open a store in Butler Esplanade, located at 3228 SW 35th Blvd., in February 2022.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT LIFE

UF’s Food Week offers taste of food science programs

By Maya Erwin | Oct. 15, 2021

The Food Science and Human Nutrition Department at UF hosted Food Week, an offering of food-related events to make students aware about the college department.