Maia B V's Senior Project Blog

Project Title: Feeding with Purpose: Developing Nutrient-Dense Recipes for Healthier Communities BASIS Advisor: Terry Villarreal Internship Location: Miriam's Kitchen Onsite Mentor: Marcus May

Project Abstract

Growing up in DC, which has one of the highest homelessness rates in the United States, I witnessed firsthand the deep inequities in access to basic needs like food, shelter, and healthcare. One problem in the homelessness system is the lack of nutritious meals accessible to all, especially those with dietary restrictions such as having a plant-based diet. My project aimed to explore the intersection of food security, nutrition, and homelessness in Washington, D.C. by finding how plant-based nutrient-dense recipes could be leveraged to improve the health and well-being of individuals experiencing homelessness in the DC area. For this project, I worked with Miriam’s Kitchen, a local DC non-profit organization that cooks daily meals to combat immediate undernourishment with the goal of long-term housing. Through nutritional research, I was able to create a series of different vegan and vegetarian recipes that contained the necessary macronutrients for a satiating meal and use those recipes at Miriam’s Kitchen to encourage healthier eating habits among guests, accommodate diverse dietary needs, and demonstrate how plant-based meals can be both affordable and nourishing within the context of homelessness services. Ultimately, I hope my recipes and resources will empower homelessness service providers to adopt more inclusive, health-conscious meal programs that support long-term wellness.