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You know we love a good food-and-art crossover around here. (You may recall our conversation with Malaika Hollist of Arts Axis Florida.)So when we heard that Miami-based  multidisciplinary artist Chris Friday had a food-related exhibition at the Sarasota Art Museum of Ringling College of Art and Design, we wanted to learn more.

Sira is the founder and CEO of Pure Vegan Cakes, which specializes in custom plant-based cakes, cupcakes and cookies. Originally from South Florida, she has baked for some pretty big names, including actress and vegan influencer Tabitha Brown—an encounter that Sira credits with taking her business to the next level.

There’s no shortage of Cuban restaurants in Florida. But one stands out for its commitment to the history and culture of Cubans of African descent.At Soul de Cuba Cafe in Tampa’s Seminole Heights neighborhood, the decor includes dozens of framed family pictures—the ancestors of the restaurant’s founder and CEO, Jesus Puerto. On one wall, there’s a mural-size black-and-white photo from 1944 depicting dark-skinned people socializing and dancing—the women in dresses, the men in suit jackets and Panama hats. They were members of Martí-Maceo Society, a social club for Tampa’s Black Cubans, formed because segregation kept them from joining a similar group full of their lighter-skinned counterparts.

As we say every week, this podcast celebrates cuisine and community in the Sunshine State. A fun way to foster community is to host a plant and seed swap. Not only will you get to know your neighbors, but you’ll come away with seeds and cuttings for your edible garden.Hosting the event doesn’t have to be intimidating or time-consuming. Here to show us the ropes is Ginain Grayes, founder of Cook Pray Slay, where she shares recipes, gardening advice and lifestyle tips. She also hosts the Cook the Garden podcast. Ginain has organized several plant and seed swaps for her neighborhood.

If you eat seafood, then Chef Steve Phelps wants you to know something—like, actually know something—about what you’re consuming. That striped bass at the grocery store seafood counter—where did it come from? The tuna melt you ordered for lunch from your favorite diner—how was that fish caught?

A few weeks ago here on the pod, Chef Justin Timineri of Fresh From Florida told us about some of his favorite trending agricultural products coming out of the Sunshine State. One in particular caught our attention: vanilla.

Orange juice is Florida’s official beverage. But you probably didn’t need us to tell you that.Ever since the Spanish introduced citrus to Florida in the late 15th century, orange juice has been synonymous with the Sunshine State. In fact, nearly all of Florida’s orange crop is used for juice.

Juneteenth—June 19—commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. It became a federal holiday in 2021, but early celebrations date back to the 1860s.Today, Americans observe Juneteenth with festivals, family and of course, food. So we invited influencer Kiva Williams, a.k.a. the Fun Foodie Mama, to share some of her favorite Juneteenth culinary traditions.

This week on "Florida Matters," we get a peek inside the backpack as another school year across the greater Tampa Bay region is underway.

Today we’re getting to know Chef Terrell Manning. The St. Pete native has experience as a private chef, food TV host, restaurant co-owner and host of the roadshow America’s Best Restaurants.We met up with Chef Terrell at the Sorry Not Public coworking space in Tampa. In this conversation, he offers lessons from his culinary journey in his book The Love Languages of Food.

Today we’re getting to know dietitian Deanna Wolfe. But she needs no introduction if you’re among her hundreds of thousands of social media followers.

Today we’re catching up with friend of the pod Justin Timineri. As executive chef for the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Service’s Fresh From Florida program, he is the state’s official culinary ambassador. Sounds like a sweet gig, right? It is. But as you’ll hear, it’s also a lot of work.

This week we’re exploring a subject that’s important for us all to understand: food sovereignty. If you’re fuzzy on what that term means, don’t worry. Here to help us break it down is Prof. William Schanbacher. He teaches religious studies at the University of South Florida, and he directs the USF Food Sovereignty Initiative.

This week, we’re getting real about what we feed kids. Whether or not you have children of your own, we all have a role to play in helping the next generation make healthier choices.Dr. David Berger isn’t here to shame anyone. But as a pediatrician and the face of Wholistic Pediatrics & Family Care in Tampa, he sees every day how nutrition—or lack thereof—affects kids’ health and behavior.

How does this sound? Roasted sweet potato and black bean tacos. Linguini with mushroom sauce. Vegetable risotto with mushroom and asparagus.And it’s all vegan.If this sounds like the menu at some high-end restaurant in California, think again. These are items on a school lunch menu… here in Florida.

Spring is upon us, so it’s time to tackle all those projects we’ve been putting off. Maybe you need to organize the garage, file your taxes or flip your mattress. While you’re making that checklist, remember to prep for spring cooking—planting warm-weather vegetables, gearing up your grill and, yes, cleaning out the pantry.

Sky is hanging out with mermaids! He got to chill with women who performed in Weeki Wachee in the 1960s, and for the first time in over 50 years, they were able to swim in the spring again, tails and all. Also, some events for you to check out tonight for 813 Day and beyond. And the news headlines, including the new lieutenant governor from Tampa.

We’re talking about a new book featuring Meth Zombies and gopher tortoises. And of course — it's in Florida. And we've got some cool events that you could plan to check out this week. But first, the news headlines, including a possible Manatee curfew.

You'll hear about a new program at USF that’ll help set up life-like scenarios for future medical professionals. This’ll be the first program like it in the country. And of course, we got some events to check out if you’re looking for something to do over the next few days, including a bunch of night markets. Before that though, the news headlines, including the decline in childhood vaccinations.

On "Florida Matters," hear reporting from WUSF’s "Not So Forever Homes" series. This is a collection of stories documenting the spiraling lot rents at manufactured home communities.

Sky talks with the guy in charge of demolishing the old Howard Frankland bridge. Why are they doing that? You'll find out. Also, some events to liven up your week in the Tampa Bay area. First up though, the news headlines, including Tampa's hurricane prep priorities.

St. Petersburg has an intersection painted in support of the LGBTQ+ community. But new rules from the state’s Department of Transportation could force that popular, rainbow-themed street art and a bunch of others go away. You’ll hear about that, plus some events to celebrate 813 Day tomorrow.

Sleepy Lizard Avocado Farm in the Everglades Specializes in Florida (Green) AvocadosToday we’re doing a deep dive with Tom Siddons. He and his wife own Sleepy Lizard Avocado Farm in the Everglades, where they grow and ship avocados, mangos and other tropical fruits. Tom also hosts the popular Sleepy Lizard YouTube podcast about their farm.

Kiera Wright-Ruiz has an impressive resume: food writer with creds in The New York Times and Bon Appétit. Photographer for big-name brands including Taco Bell. Recipe developer for the Japan Times, The Kitchn and Food52. Picture book author.