WANDA: Women Advancing Nutrition Dietetics & Agriculture

??? Tasty Trivia Time! ??? This West African fruit is naturally sweet, often dried, and enjoyed as a tasty snack or used to flavor drinks and dishes! ???? Can you guess what it is? Drop your answer below! ?????? #TastyTrivia #WestAfricanFlavors #FoodJustice #AfricanDiasporaEats #RemixRecipes Answer: B

???? Empower Like Tracye! ???? Tracye McQuirter has spent decades empowering Black communities to take control of their health through plant-based nutrition. As a public health nutritionist and author, she’s shown us that food isn’t just fuel—it’s a tool for liberation, healing, and longevity. At WANDA, we believe that knowledge is power, and making healthy, culturally rooted food accessible is a revolutionary act. When we #EmpowerLikeTracye, we commit to using food as a force for justice, wellness, and community strength. Let’s keep nourishing change! ??? #FoodJustice #PlantBasedPower #HealthEquity #WANDAPower

This Turn the Page Tuesday, we’re savoring the flavors of Brown Sugar Kitchen by Tanya Holland. ??? Tanya Holland brings a fresh twist to soul food with recipes that blend her Southern roots with California’s vibrant local ingredients. Inspired by her beloved Oakland restaurant, this cookbook is packed with comforting dishes like buttermilk fried chicken, cheddar scallion biscuits, and smoked grits that celebrate Black culinary traditions with a modern flair. Inside, you’ll find: ??? 80+ mouthwatering recipes that reimagine soul food classics. ?????? Stories of community, culture, and the power of food to bring people together. ?? A love letter to Oakland’s food scene and the spirit of Black entrepreneurship. Join us as we turn the page and dive into Tanya Holland’s world of soulful, bold, and unforgettable flavors! ???? #TurnThePageTuesday #TanyaHolland #BrownSugarKitchen #SoulFoodReimagined #WhatsWANDAReading #BlackCulinaryExcellence

?? “Service is the rent we pay for being. It is the very purpose of life, and not something you do in your spare time.” – Marian Wright Edelman ?? True leadership comes from service. Whether through small acts of kindness or bold actions for justice, we all have the power to make an impact. How will you serve today? ????? #FoodFreedomFighters #WANDA #MarianWrightEdelman #ServeWithPurpose

?? This International Women’s Day, we celebrate the power of sisterhood and the incredible women who are transforming communities through food justice and advocacy. From the soil to the streets, women have always been at the forefront of the fight for equitable access to nutritious food, using their voices and vision to dismantle barriers and sow seeds of change. At WANDA, we honor the legacy of women who have paved the way and those who continue to lead with courage, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to justice. Together, through sisterhood, we rise—uplifting one another, sharing knowledge, and building a future where every woman and girl can thrive. Here’s to the women who inspire us to keep pushing forward. ?? #InternationalWomensDay #SisterhoodStrength #FoodJustice #WANDAWomen

?? Food Shero Friday Spotlight: Vel Scott ?? Meet Vel Scott, a dedicated advocate for wellness and sustainable living in Cleveland, Ohio! As the visionary behind Vel’s Purple Oasis, an urban farm and learning hub, she’s on a mission to inspire her community with the power of fresh, homegrown food. Through cooking demos, nutrition workshops, and garden programs, Vel is equipping people with the skills and knowledge to lead healthier lives. Her commitment to making wholesome food accessible proves that community-driven solutions can transform health and well-being. Let’s honor Vel for sowing the seeds of change and empowering her neighbors through the gift of good food! ???? #FoodSheroFriday #VelScott #VelsPurpleOasis #FoodSecurity #UrbanAgriculture #HealthyCommunities #SustainableLiving #FoodFreedomFighter

??? Tasty Trivia Time! ??? This West African leaf brings a silky texture to soups and stews, similar to okra! ???? Often paired with fufu or rice, it’s a staple that’s packed with nutrients. Can you guess which leaf we’re talking about? Drop your answer below! ?????? #TastyTrivia #WestAfricanEats #FoodJustice #AfricanDiasporaEats #RemixRecipes Answer: A

??? Celebrate International Women's Day with WANDA Live! ??? Join us on Saturday, March 8, 2025, at 2 PM for a special WANDA Live event featuring Tambra Raye Stevenson, Founder of WANDA, and Jamelle "Mel" Thomas, visionary behind Mel ‘n Nem Farms. ?? Location: Mel ‘n Nem Farms, Bowie, MD ?? Tune in: In-person or via IG Live → buff.ly/mBPKQBa This International Women’s Day, we’re honoring Black women in food, farming, and leadership, bridging the gap between cultural food traditions and a healthier future. Join us for a powerful conversation on food, farming, and fortitude—from the soil to the soul. ?? ??? Be part of the movement. Be part of the story. ?? #WANDALive #InternationalWomensDay #WomenInAg #FoodAsMedicine #BlackWomenInFood #FarmToFuture #WANDAWomen

?? Cultivate Like Leah! ?? Leah Penniman, co-founder of Soul Fire Farm, is transforming the food system by empowering Black and Brown farmers and fighting for food sovereignty. Through her dedication to ending racism in farming, she’s shown us that cultivating the land is also about cultivating justice, healing, and community power. At WANDA, we believe that true food justice means reclaiming our roots and building systems that nourish everyone. When we #CultivateLikeLeah, we honor her legacy by planting seeds of equity and resilience. Let’s keep growing together! ??? #FoodSovereignty #LandJustice #GrowTheResistance #WANDAPower

This Turn the Page Tuesday, we’re celebrating a true icon of Creole cuisine: The Dooky Chase Cookbook by Leah Chase. ??? Leah Chase, known as the Queen of Creole Cuisine, transformed her family’s restaurant into a New Orleans institution and a hub for civil rights activism. In this cookbook, she shares recipes that capture the heart and soul of Creole cooking—from rich gumbos and red beans & rice to unforgettable desserts. Inside, you’ll find: ??? 100+ recipes that blend French, Spanish, and African influences into timeless dishes. ?????? Stories of resilience, community, and the role of food in Black culture. ?? A taste of New Orleans history through the eyes of a culinary legend. Join us as we turn the page and honor Leah Chase’s legacy, keeping the flavors and spirit of the Dooky Chase Restaurant alive! ???? #TurnThePageTuesday #LeahChase #CreoleCuisine #BlackCulinaryExcellence #WhatsWANDAReading #NewOrleansFood