Flavors of Florida, the premier UF/IFAS tasting showcase, is now an annual event on the University of Florida campus. The March 21 event, hosted in the Champions Club at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium at Florida Field, will be from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., and tickets are available now at tinyurl.com/IFASFOF24.
Now in its ninth year, Flavors of Florida invites participants to sample delicious foods and beverages produced in the Sunshine State and aided by UF/IFAS research. Chef-curated tastings highlight at least one fresh, seasonal ingredient from a UF/IFAS research facility or a generous Florida farmer. Atlantic Sapphire in Homestead plans to provide salmon, Sun Shrimp in St. James City is providing fresh shrimp and Grimmway Farms in Live Oak will provide carrots.
| Follow along on Instagram as our delivery truck collects this year’s ingredients, March 18-19 @UFIFAS_solutions. |
The UF/IFAS Blueberry Breeding Program will again offer taste-testing of its new blueberry varieties; the UF/IFAS food science and human nutrition department will showcase the intriguing finger limes – also known as the caviar of the fruit world – and Fresh from Florida chef Justin Timineri will prepare a seasonal recipe created for the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services program.
The event is more than tasting opportunities, though. A portion of each ticket purchased will directly benefit the Field & Fork Campus Food Program. This program, led by the UF/IFAS College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, is multifaceted, with the Field & Fork Farm and Gardens training student interns on small farm production, connecting classroom learning with hands-on experience, hosting volunteer and learning events for the community and providing space for research projects. The Farm and Gardens supplies the Alan and Cathy Hitchcock Field & Fork Pantry with fresh produce throughout the year. The Hitchcock Pantry, run by UF Student Life, supports those in the campus community experiencing food insecurity through donations of produce, non-perishables and other products. Travelers can also secure a special room block rate at the Hilton University of Florida Conference Center.
Early tasting partners include Blue Gill Quality Foods, Curia on the Drag, Mildred’s Big City Food, Sarasota Cured, Underground Kitchen and Yaupon Brothers American Tea Co. Sponsors and tasting partners will continue to be added to the event website.
For more information, including about available sponsorship and tasting partner opportunities, please contact Heather Yoder at yoderh@ufl.edu or 352-392-1975.
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