Nourish Chicago: Cultivating Health and Sustainability in Low-Income Communities through Accessible Education and Engaging Activities

“Nourish Chicago: Cultivating Health and Sustainability in Low-Income Communities through Accessible Education and Engaging Activities” seeks to improve nutritional literacy and sustainable food choices by educating communities on natural food dyes as healthier alternatives to artificial colorants. Participants learn about the chemical characteristics, health advantages, and culinary uses of plant-based pigments like turmeric, hibiscus, beetroot, and butterfly pea flower through engaging food science workshops and demonstrations. Practical tests demonstrate food preparation, color stability, and pH sensitivity, enabling people to make educated nutritional decisions. This project promotes lifelong scientific literacy and improved eating habits by increasing awareness of food color substitutes.