South Queens Women's March: Rooted in Health

About this Project

When participants at a recent South Queens Women’s March (SQWM) community event asked how to make traditional foods healthier without losing their cultural meaning, it revealed a real need for accessible, culturally relevant nutrition education, particularly as chronic illnesses such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease continue to affect our communities. Rooted in Health: Culturally Responsive Nutrition Workshops for Caribbean and South Asian Families responds with free, interactive workshops where local chefs and health professionals demonstrate healthier takes on traditional dishes and participants learn practical skills like reading labels, planning meals, and cooking on a budget. Families share their own recipes, participate in hands-on activities to adapt traditional dishes, and contribute to a community recipe collection, then take home recipes, materials, and, when possible, ingredients to try at home. Rooted in Health also advances SQWM’s work to curb gender-based violence by strengthening the health, food security, and economic stability that support personal autonomy. Grant funds will keep the program free and cover ingredients, supplies, educational materials, outreach, and stipends for community chefs and facilitators.