38 • September | October 2026 • abasto.com BY ANA MARÍA TRIANA FOUNDER OF ANABELLA DRIED FOOD W hat do a family recipe, a farmer, an emerging His- panic brand, and an inter- national trade show have in common? Much more than we might imagine: they’re all part of the same ecosys- tem, where tradition, lear- ning, and innovation come together to build the future of our industry. During Hispanic He- ritage Month, it’s worth asking ourselves how to preserve our legacy while building the future: today, learning ecosystems help Hispanic businesses grow and share their flavors with the world. Heritage is Also Built Heritage doesn’t belong so- lely to the past; it’s cultivated every day, in every producer committed to learning and in every family business that chooses to innovate. Honoring our heritage means preserving our tra- ditions while also creating the conditions for them to continue evolving. This ha- ppens at events like the Glo- bal Produce & Floral Show, held in October in Orlando, Florida, where thousands of producers, exporters, buyers, and experts in logis- tics, technology, and mar- keting gather for three days to learn, negotiate, and plan for the future. Afterward, everyone returns to their Learning Ecosystems: The Best Way to Honor Our Heritage Hispanic Heritage Month reminds us of where we come from. Events like the Global Produce & Floral Show show us where we can go When Hispanic Knowledge Crosses Borders The Global Produce & Floral Show brings together more than 20,000 professio- nals, over 1,100 exhibiting companies, and represen- tatives from more than 70 countries each year, and its true value lies in uniting all stakeholders in the food chain under one roof. The presence of Hispa- nic companies demonstra- tes that our region exports not only food but also knowledge, innovation, biodiversity, and sustai- nability: Colombia shares the excellence of its floral industry; Peru demonstra- tes how Camposol turned innovation into a global competitive advantage; and Mexican companies such as Divine Flavor take advantage of these oppor- tunities to strengthen bu- siness relationships. Crossing borders whi- le honoring our heritage means that every product carries much more than a barcode: it carries the work The best ideas rarely emerge in isolation. They emerge when producers, distributors, and researchers have the opportunity to come together and build solutions.” of thousands of people and the identity of entire com- munities. An invitation to look ahead Hispanic Heritage Month is more than just a celebra- tion of our origins: it’s also an opportunity to continue learning and innovating, so that future generations inherit an industry that is stronger and more connec- ted to the world. Because our heritage tells us where we come from; learning and collaboration help us decide where we want to go. home countries with new ideas that transform entire companies. Ecosystems That Accelerate Industry Growth The future of the industry is not built in isolation, but through learning ecosys- tems: spaces where people and organizations learn from one another and disco- ver new possibilities. There, innovation ceases to depend solely on individual talent, and shared solutions are built through collaboration. The Global Produce & Floral Show is one such ecosystem—a temporary university for the indus- try—where learning toge- ther helps us recognize the contributions that millions of Hispanics make to the U.S. economy and culture. It’s not just a trade show: it’s a space where collective learning is accelerated. • ADVICE