NSRL Inner City Soy Program

The National Soybean Research Laboratory domestic nutrition team has recently established an Inner City Soy Program in Chicago. NSRL and WISHH, with support from Illinois soybean checkoff dollars, are partnering with JLM Abundant Life Community Center on West Jackson Boulevard and are providing the opportunity for community members to expand their knowledge about the nutritional value of soy and enhance their understanding of eating and living well through soy-enhanced foods.

A recent soy cooking and nutrition workshop gave members of the JLM Abundant Life Community Center, as well as organizations affiliated with Haitian immigrants living in Chicago, the chance to participate in hands-on cooking classes featuring local cuisine and favorite recipes that were augmented with soy.

NSRL domestic nutrition team members led the outreach activities that focused on educating community members about purchasing and preparing soy. They gave an overview of the health benefits of soyfoods and introduced the group to the wide variety of soy ingredients, including Textured Soy Protein (TSP), soy flour, tofu and soymilk. The NSRL team also shared tips and techniques for incorporating soy into recipes for sloppy joes, meatloaf, green bean casserole and chili. Adding tofu to fruit smoothies was a unique and appealing way to incorporate soy, a complete, high quality protein containing all essential amino acids, and the participants really liked the taste.

The soy-enhanced foods prepared during the workshop were enjoyed by the group for lunch and discussions touched on additional ways to incorporate soy into existing recipes, acceptability, economic benefits and how and where to purchase soy ingredients.

Not only was the workshop educational, it was enjoyable, and more activities and events are planned for later this year.

Warmest regards,

Bridget