In partnership with the Alliance of Filipinos for Immigrant Rights & Empowerment (AFIRE), Usapang Pagkain explores how Filipino food can best serve our community through free, monthly events. The event series resists the notion of Filipino food as incompatible with healthy living. It is a response to the dearth of culturally-relevant health education and the epidemic of cardiovascular disease and diabetes in our community. Usapang Pagkain will bring generations of Chicagoland Filipinos together to share our stories with one another and collectively learn practices that center our health, community, and food. Each event will highlight a Filipino dish or dishes, including recipes. Specifically organized to provide a much-needed community space for dialogue on health and wellness, Usapang Pagkain will examine the importance and potential of Filipino food in nourishing our body and soul.