In this interactive program, journalist and author Dalia Colon provides an overview of Florida’s history through the lens of food, from indigenous foodways to the rise and fall of the citrus industry, to modern sustainability efforts. Through audience story sharing and audio and video clips, Ms. Colon keeps the discussion energized and personalized for each community.

Dalia Colon is the host and executive producer of The Zest podcast for WUSF and the associate producer and co-host of WEDU Arts Plus on Tampa Bay’s PBS television station. As well, she published her first cookbook, The Florida Vegetarian Cookbook, in March 2024.

Florida Reflections was developed by Florida Humanities and is part of By the People: Conversations Beyond 250—a series of community-driven programs created by humanities councils in collaboration with local partners. The initiative was developed by the Federation of State Humanities Councils and the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage. Funding is provided in part through the Thomas M. & Irene B. Kirbo Charitable Foundation, the Gulf Coast Community Foundation and the Community Foundation for Brevard. Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this program do not necessarily represent those of Florida Humanities or its partners.