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Next week marks the start of Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 to October 2025), a time to recognize and celebrate the vibrant histories, contributions and cultures of Hispanic and Latino communities. But as the Trump Administration continues to demonize Latino communities across the nation, harassing and cracking down on immigrants via ICE raids, it is important, now more than ever, to show support.
Attending Latin Food Fest is certainly one way to do so. Billed as America’s original Latin festival, the New York-founded festival welcomes all for a weekend of food, culture and fun. Gathering over 80 food stalls that span the cuisines from 12 Latin American and Caribbean countries—including Puerto Rico, Ecuador and Venezuela, to name a few—the two-day festival has a little bit of everything to turn the party, with live musical acts, cultural installations and giveaways. In its first year, the festival attracted nearly 20,000 visitors.
But as this year’s organizers were preparing for year number three, they overheard rumors from multiple vendors and community activists that ICE may be targeting large public gatherings, the festival included. Instead of backing down, the organizers wanted to send a clear message to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
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“America’s Original Latin Food Fest is setting the record straight: ICE is not welcome, and the festival is a safe space for immigrants, families, and allies,” said the press release.
In response, the team has made tangible steps to ensure the safety of its attendees and vendors. The team has contacted local leaders, advocacy groups and the City of New York for visibility and distributed protocols to vendors in the case they may encounter ICE. Marco Shalma, owner of MASC Hospitality Group and executive producer of the Latin Food Fest, emphasizes that immigrants are an integral of the diversity and fabric of New York and America as a whole.
“Immigrants are essential to New York’s heartbeat,” said Shalma. “They plant, cook, serve, and create the food culture this city is famous for. This festival is not only a celebration, it is a statement that the city stands with the people who feed America.”
More impactful than words? Action. In addition to its safety measures, 100% of proceeds from Latin Food Fest's “We Feed America” merch will be donated to immigrant legal services, including Legal Aid Society and the Street Eats Foundation. More than just a festival, the organization stays grounded in the fact that immigrants deserve “protection, pride, and solidarity.”
“Latin Food Fest NYC is more than an event. It is a declaration. It is New Yorkers and visitors coming together to say: We feed America. We belong here,” said the team in a press release.
Latin Food Fest will be held this weekend, September 13 and 14. Purchase tickets to the festival here.