House of Hope and Old Havana Cafe Invites Community to Build 400-Foot Cuban Sandwich in Palm City on September 12.
Posted on August 19, 2026
A 400-foot Cuban sandwich will be constructed in L. Cpl. Justin Wilson Memorial Park in Palm City to create community spirit, bring awareness to the work of House of Hope, and bring bragging rights to Martin County. The current record was set in 2024 in Tampa at 365 feet. At 400 feet, the Martin County Cuban sandwich will beat the record and be longer than a football field.
“This is a really bold way to build awareness of our work in empowering our community to overcome hunger and hardship,” said House of Hope CEO Rob Ranieri. “It’s also going to be great fun. Our teams are intent on breaking the current world record for the longest Cuban sandwich, and I believe we’re going to do it!”
Teams will assemble the sandwich with its traditional ingredients of Cuban bread, meat, pickles, and mustard.
The sandwich building project, “Bite Into History: The Longest Cuban Sandwich Ever Made,” is co-hosted by Old Havana Cafe in Stuart and House of Hope. “We love food, we love people, and we love the work of House of Hope,” said Chef Chuchi Rivero, owner of Old Havana Cafe. “This is a perfect project to bring the community together for a great cause. It’s going to be truly historic.”
The official sandwich construction starts at Noon. The event opens to the public at 11 a.m., with free on-site activities including face painting, salsa dancing, dominoes, nonprofit booths with kids’ activities, and refreshments. Sections of the Cuban sandwich will be for sale to the public once the judging has taken place. Paige Meyer, reporter for CBS 12 News, will emcee during the sandwich-building action and the official judging of the sandwich length.
The Doris M. Carter Family Foundation is the event’s Presenting Sponsor, with additional support from County Commissioner Ed Ciampi. The Foundation pledged a dollar for dollar match for the first $15,000 raised.
Proceeds from registrations, sponsorships, donations, and sandwich sales from” Bite Into History” will support House of Hope’s programs, including healthy food access, nutrition education, financial assistance, and workforce development. “Every registration, sponsorship and donation helps keep these vital programs available for local individuals and families in need,” Ranieri said.
In keeping with House of Hope’s mission, there is one more way to be part of the festivities and help feed the hungry. Attendees can “Buy One, Give One” by purchasing a sandwich on site and donating an additional one for someone in need. For those who want to donate but can’t attend, the donation can be made through the website hohmartin.org/sandwich.
To learn more about House of Hope or make a donation, visit www.hohmartin.org or call 772-286-4673.
About House of Hope
Founded in 1984, House of Hope is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that empowers Martin County residents to overcome hunger and hardship. House of Hope touches the lives of more than 30,000 people each month, helping with basic needs such as food, clothing, furniture, financial assistance, as well as longer-term case management services that help build life skills for a more self-sufficient future.
The organization has service centers in Stuart, Hobe Sound, Indiantown, and Jensen Beach, with thrift stores in Stuart, Hobe Sound, and Indiantown. House of Hope’s Centers for Enrichment at Golden Gate in Stuart, in Jensen Beach, and at KinDoo Family Center in Indiantown offer free programs, technology, and workshops designed to enhance life skills, earning potential, health, and overall well-being.
House of Hope also operates the Growing Hope Farm in Palm City and several nutrition gardens that provide sustainable sources of fresh produce for clients as well as nutrition education and vocational opportunities to the community. For more information, visit hohmartin.org or call 772-286-4673. Updates and announcements can also be found on Facebook, Instagram, and X.