Celebrating Caribbean American Heritage Month with MIC Food Group®: Honoring Flavor, Culture, and Community

Every June, the United States recognizes Caribbean American Heritage Month, a time to honor the rich history, vibrant culture, and incredible contributions of Caribbean Americans to our nation’s story. At MIC Food Group®, we proudly celebrate this month not only for what it represents historically, but also because our products, people, and partnerships are deeply rooted in Caribbean heritage.

For more than 35 years, MIC Food® has helped bring the bold, authentic flavors of the Caribbean to tables across the country. From school cafeterias and healthcare kitchens to major restaurant chains and family-owned eateries, our ready-to-serve tropical favorites like sweet plantains, yuca, and boniato have become staples in multicultural menus that reflect the soul of Caribbean cuisine.

This June, we invite our partners, clients, and community to join us in celebrating the legacy of Caribbean Americans through stories, flavors, and continued innovation in foodservice.

What Is Caribbean American Heritage Month?

Caribbean American Heritage Month was officially proclaimed in 2006 to recognize the enduring impact of Caribbean immigrants and their descendants on American history and culture. From trailblazers in politics, sports, science, and the arts, Caribbean Americans have played pivotal roles in shaping U.S. society.

The Caribbean is not just one culture; it’s a fusion of many: African, Indigenous, European, Asian, and Middle Eastern influences all converge in this region. That fusion is most vibrantly expressed through food, music, and storytelling, and that’s where MIC Group Food® comes in.

Our Roots: Bringing Caribbean Flavor to the Mainstream

Founded in 1987, MIC Food Group® started with a mission to deliver consistent, high-quality tropical foods to commercial kitchens with less prep and more efficiency. What began with a focus on frozen ripe plantains (maduros) quickly grew into a full line of GFSI-certified, natural, frozen Caribbean staples that make it easier for chefs and operators to serve these time-honored flavors at scale.

We’ve always understood that Caribbean food isn’t just about ingredients, it’s about identity. It’s about celebrating resilience, family, and history through dishes passed down through generations. By providing heat-and-serve tropical products that stay true to traditional Caribbean recipes, we empower foodservice professionals to tell those stories in every bite.

Flavor as a Cultural Ambassador

We believe food is one of the most powerful ways to preserve and promote heritage. Our tropical products, including ripe plantains, green plantains (tostones), cassava (yuca), boniato (Caribbean sweet potato), and more, are deeply embedded in Caribbean cuisine.

These dishes don’t just feed people, they connect communities.

• Maduros (Sweet Plantains): Found across the Caribbean, from Cuba to the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico, these golden, caramelized slices of ripe plantain are a nostalgic comfort food for many.
  
• Tostones: Crisp, twice-fried green plantains often served with garlic sauce or as a side dish.
  
• Yuca con Mojo: A starchy root vegetable boiled and topped with garlicky citrus mojo, a classic in Cuban and Dominican meals.
  
• Boniato: A Caribbean twist on a classic American favorite, combining the familiarity of fries with the sweet, nutty flavor of boniato.
  

By offering these ingredients in easy-to-use formats, we help kitchens large and small serve meals that honor their customers’ roots while introducing others to the flavors of the Caribbean for the first time.

How We Support Foodservice During Caribbean American Heritage Month

Whether you’re planning a themed menu for a school cafeteria, adding a limited-time Caribbean-inspired dish to a restaurant lineup, or creating a healthcare menu that celebrates diversity, June is the perfect time to showcase Caribbean cuisine.

MIC Food Group® supports your efforts in several ways:

Ready-to-Use Tropical Foods

Save time and labor while maintaining authenticity. Our products are pre-cooked and frozen to lock in freshness and flavor.

Recipe Inspiration

We regularly share chef-created recipes using our tropical items—ideal for menu rotations, catering events, or special cultural celebrations. Think plantain sliders, yuca mash with jerk chicken, or Caribbean boniato empanadas.

Educational Support

Looking to educate your staff or customers? We offer resources to help you highlight the cultural significance of each product. Share stories behind the dishes or tie them into historical facts about Caribbean heritage.

Caribbean Heritage in the MIC Food® Family

Many of our team members, suppliers, and farming partners have deep ties to the Caribbean region. From farm to fork, MIC Food Group® works closely with growers and manufacturers in tropical countries supporting fair labor practices, sustainable agriculture, and local economies.

It’s not just about exporting food. It’s about honoring our roots, giving back, and sharing culture through every shipment.

Celebrate With Us: Ideas for Your Organization

Wondering how to incorporate Caribbean American Heritage Month into your foodservice operation? Here are a few simple and delicious ideas:

• Host a Caribbean Day: Feature a special menu with dishes made from plantains, yuca, or boniato.
  
• Share Stories: Highlight the origins of your ingredients or showcase employee heritage in your cafeteria or social media.
  
• Incorporate Music and Decor: Create a fun, immersive experience with Caribbean music, island decor, and tropical signage.
  
• Offer a Taste Test Station: Let customers or students try different tropical ingredients and vote on their favorites.
  

If you’re a foodservice operator, reach out to us—we’d love to help you incorporate Caribbean flavors into your menu.

Our Commitment: Heritage, Quality, and Community

At MIC Food Group®, we don’t just process and deliver food—we carry traditions. We are committed to providing foodservice operators with products that are consistent, safe, and true to their cultural origins. We offer ready-to-heat, globally-inspired products made with 100% natural ingredients and no artificial additives, ensuring a clean label and clear conscience.

From private label and foodservice-ready formats to strategic distribution across the U.S., we are ready to help your kitchen celebrate culture—not just in June, but all year round.

Honoring the Past, Flavoring the Future

Caribbean American Heritage Month is more than a celebration, it’s a call to remember, honor, and elevate the stories and cultures that continue to shape the fabric of our communities.

We’re proud to be part of that story.

Let’s celebrate with food that brings people together and honor heritage with dishes that nourish the soul. 

Ready to add more tropical flavor to your menus this June?

Contact MIC Food Group® to explore our product line and bring Caribbean heritage to life in your kitchen.