From Garden to Plate: Fighting Iron Deficiency with Project RISHI's Cooking Event

On Wednesday, October 30th, Georgetown University’s Project RISHI teamed up with the Hoya Harvest Garden to host an interactive cooking event celebrating health, culture, and sustainability. Students and community members gathered to prepare a traditional Indian dish, bhindi, and a garden-fresh salad featuring produce from Georgetown’s Earth Commons Hoya Harvest Garden. The event showcased the power of food to connect people across cultures while shedding light on the importance of proper nutrition and sustainable practices. With dishes rich in flavor and nutritional value, the evening was a mix of hands-on learning and meaningful conversations about health and community well-being.

Cooking Bhindi

At the heart of the event was bhindi, the Hindi word for okra. This iron-rich vegetable is a staple in Indian cuisine and can be prepared in various ways, such as curries, soups, or stews. Guided by Project RISHI members, attendees learned how to cook bhindi masala, a savory stir-fry made with okra, onions, tomatoes, and a blend of fragrant spices. Everyone was immersed in the cultural significance of the dish. Okra has been a traditional Indian dish for generations, not just for its flavor but also for its incredible health benefits. It's especially rich in iron, which is crucial for combating anemia.

The Garden Salad 

The event also celebrated the produce grown right on Georgetown’s campus. Attendees prepared a garden salad with fresh greens, tomatoes, and carrots from the Earth Commons Hoya Harvest Garden. This collaboration highlighted the value of sustainable, local farming practices and the impact they can have on improving access to nutritious food. This emphasizes the significance of using local ingredients. By incorporating produce from the Hoya Harvest Garden, we’re not just making healthy food accessible—we’re also promoting environmental sustainability. It’s a small way of reconnecting with the land and supporting a more self-sufficient food system.

Attendees prepared bhindi masala (bottom) and a garden salad (top right) using produce from the Earth Commons Hoya Harvest Garden.

Raising Awareness: Combating Iron Deficiency Anemia

In addition to the cooking demonstration, Aashvi (SOH ‘27), Ahlay (SOH ‘27), and Ava (CAS ‘28) gave a short presentation on the global issue of Iron Deficiency Anemia (IDA). Affecting over two billion people worldwide, IDA is a leading cause of fatigue, impaired cognitive function, and weakened immune systems, particularly in women and children. IDA is particularly prevalent in Indian women due to their primarily vegetarian diet that lacks iron nutrients from meat proteins. Our kitchen gardens initiative, which is based in India, works to address this problem. By empowering households to grow diverse vegetables, we’re helping families include more iron-rich foods in their diets.

Expanding the Kitchen Gardens Initiative

Project RISHI has successfully expanded its Kitchen Gardens Initiative to reach an additional 100 households in rural India! This initiative, originally launched as a pilot program, aims to promote balance by helping families grow a variety of vegetables in their own backyards. The program, described on Project RISHI’s website, has already made a significant impact. The kitchen gardens helped them grow 10 different varieties of fruits and vegetables in their backyards, making these sources of iron and other nutrients available for household consumption. This provided households access to fresh, nutrient-dense produce like spinach, cluster beans, and tomatoes—key to a balanced diet. Families also receive education on sustainable farming techniques, ensuring the gardens remain productive over time. These gardens are more than just a source of food—they’re a tool for empowerment. We’ve seen firsthand how growing your own vegetables can improve health, save money, and foster a sense of pride.

The Importance of Nutrition and Education

Nutrition lies at the core of Project RISHI’s mission. The cooking event was an opportunity to highlight the critical role food plays in overall health, particularly in combating micronutrient deficiencies like anemia. According to the World Health Organization, iron deficiency is the most common nutritional disorder globally, affecting nearly 30% of the world’s population (Miller, 2013). Thus, focusing on Iron-rich foods like bhindi is important. Project RISHI’s holistic approach combines direct action—such as expanding kitchen gardens—with educational efforts. By teaching both Georgetown students and rural communities in India about the importance of a balanced diet, we aim to foster a global culture of health consciousness.

Building Community Through Food

The cooking event wasn’t just about learning recipes—it was also about building connections. Participants shared experiences of creating and enjoying a meal together. Holding events like this reminds us of the universality of food as a way to bring people together. It’s a way to break down barriers, share knowledge, and create meaningful relationships. The collaboration with the Hoya Harvest Garden added an extra layer of community engagement, showcasing how local initiatives can have global implications.

Event Reflections from RISHI Members

Ava Jahn (CAS ‘28):  

“I loved getting to gather with Project RISHI as a whole since we usually are split into our respective groups during meetings. It was really fun to get to hear about what other sections of RISHI are working on.

It also was interesting to see how all of our work is very interconnected with each other and I would say it was just super fun to be able to cook and enjoy Bhindi which I had never had before and it was very delicious!”

Riya Dongre (SFS ‘26): 

“The event was great because it allowed us to come together in a way that was both fun and social, but also incredibly informative! I loved the presentation the fundraising team gave because as a member of Project RISHI it was awesome to hear about the tangible impact our initiatives have on our community in India.”

Looking Ahead

The expansion of the kitchen gardens initiative is a testament to the impact of grassroots efforts in creating lasting change. By empowering individuals to take control of their nutrition, Project RISHI is not only addressing immediate health concerns but also laying the groundwork for a healthier, more sustainable future.

Get Involved

Interested in joining Project RISHI or supporting initiatives? Visit Georgetown RISHI’s website or instagram to learn more about our projects and upcoming events. 

Works Cited 

Miller, J. L. (2013). Iron Deficiency Anemia: a Common and Curable Disease. Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in Medicine, 3(7).