In our first-ever Healthier Habits Live episode, recorded at the Hunger and Health Illinois Regional Summit 2025, we explore the urgent and complex issue of food waste. Moderated by the Healthier Habits Podcast host, this panel features three powerhouse voices working at the intersection of sustainability, engineering, and community empowerment: Liz Bosarge, MPH (UIC Zero Waste Program Director), Raven Brown (Green Era Community Coordinator at Urban Growers Collective), and Lydia Vulich (UIC engineering student). Together, they unpack the economic and environmental costs of food waste, the systems that enable it, and the community-driven solutions already making an impact in Chicago. From composting innovations to food recovery networks, this conversation highlights how we can reclaim food waste as a valuable resource and how tackling it head-on can support a healthier, more equitable food system. Whether you're a policymaker, student, activist, or curious community member, this episode calls you to step into action.

CORRECTION NOTICE:

Our guest kindly flagged a few clarifications after recording to ensure accuracy:

• Urban Growers Collective does not currently operate on the West Side of Chicago (though food access concerns remain significant on both the South and West Sides).
• The Green Era Campus is located about 20 minutes from the Loop, within Chicago city limits—not “downtown.”

The reference to “phosphate” should have been phosphorus. We appreciate the opportunity to make these clarifications for our listeners.

🎧 Guests Liz Bosarge, MPH | UIC Zero Waste Program Director Raven Brown | Green Era Community Coordinator at Urban Growers Collective Lydia Vulich | UIC engineering student

Guest Resources: Urban Growers Collective 📸 Instagram: www.instagram.com/urbangrowerscollective 📘 Facebook: Facebook.com/urbangrowerscollective Sustainability at UIC 📸 Instagram: www.instagram.com/sustainableuic 📘 Facebook: www.facebook.com/sustainableuic X https://x.com/sustainableuic

📣 Presented by CPHP (Chicago Partnership for Health Promotion) 🌐 CPHP Website - https://cphp.uic.edu/ 🥗 Eat. Move. Save. Meal Kit - https://go.uic.edu/mealkits 📸 Instagram: www.instagram.com/eat.move.save.chicago 📘 Facebook: www.facebook.com/eat.move.save.chicago 📺 YouTube: UIC OCEAN-HP / @uicocean-hp1379

!! NOTICE !!

Due to recent cuts to SNAP-Ed through the BBB Bill, Chicago Partnership for Health Promotions (CPHP) and many programs like it across the country have been defunded. This podcast will no longer be active after 2025, and many of our public health colleagues will lose their roles, and services will end for thousands of families. We invite you to reach out to our guests directly for any resources, services, or information they offer.

If you value work like this, please contact your state senators. To support this specific program, reach out to OCEAN-HP. Your voice matters!

#OCEANHP #CPHP #EATMOVESAVE #HealthierHabits #Podcast #UIC #HealthierHabitsPodcast #foodwaste #foodsystems

In this episode, we sit down with Cammi Allton, Resident Services Coordinator for Mercy Housing’s Southside Chicago properties, to explore how permanent supportive housing transforms lives. With over a decade in humanitarian work and a passion for accessible resources, Cammi shares Mercy Housing’s mission, the history behind the organization, and who they serve.

We discuss the challenges residents face, the importance of nutrition education, and the ripple effect of community-centered programming. From inspiring success stories to future goals, Cammi offers an inside look at what it takes to foster healthy, supported communities and why this work matters now more than ever.

🎧 Guest Cameron "Cammi" Allton | Resident Services Coordinator II | Mercy Housing

🔗 Mentioned Resources 🌐 Mercy Housing – www.mercyhousing.org

📸 Instagram: @mercyhousing - www.instagram.com/mercyhousing

📘 Facebook: @MercyHousing - www.facebook.com/mercyhousing

📺 YouTube: www.youtube.com/@UCXQzCNL259CV7EGkAC41NfA

📣 Presented by CPHP (Chicago Partnership for Health Promotion)

🌐 CPHP Website - https://cphp.uic.edu/

🥗 Eat. Move. Save. Meal Kit - https://go.uic.edu/mealkits

📸 Instagram: www.instagram.com/eat.move.save.chicago

📘 Facebook: www.facebook.com/eat.move.save.chicago

📺 YouTube: UIC OCEAN-HP / @uicocean-hp1379

!! NOTICE !!

Due to recent cuts to SNAP-Ed through the BBB Bill, Chicago Partnership for Health Promotions (CPHP) and many programs like it across the country have been defunded. This podcast will no longer be active after 2025, and many of our public health colleagues will lose their roles, and services will end for thousands of families. We invite you to reach out to our guests directly for any resources, services, or information they offer.

If you value work like this, please contact your state senators. To support this specific program, reach out to OCEAN-HP. Your voice matters!

#OCEANHP #CPHP #EATMOVESAVE #HealthierHabits #Podcast #UIC #HealthierHabitsPodcast #housing

En este episodio especial en español de Healthier Habits, conversamos con Jessica “Remo” Saul, una destacada empresaria y coreógrafa latina, fundadora de The Art of Stepping® y The World of Step. Con su innovador Sistema Remo©, el primer plan de estudios escrito y aplicado a la danza mediante animación, contenido digital y fórmulas matemáticas, Remo ha transformado la enseñanza del stepping en programas educativos y de bienestar, dentro y fuera de los Estados Unidos.

A través de nuestra charla, exploramos la inspiración detrás de su trabajo, el impacto de sus programas en la comunidad y cómo sus iniciativas fomentan la creatividad, la disciplina y la inclusión. Desde STEAM hasta la cultura del stepping, Remo nos muestra cómo el arte puede ser una poderosa herramienta para empoderar a jóvenes y líderes comunitarios. 🎧 Guest Jessica “Remo” Saul | Fundadora | The Art of Stepping® y The World of Step 🔗 Mentioned Resources 🌐 The Art of Stepping – https://artofstepping.com 📸 Instagram: @artofstepping - www.instagram.com/ArtofStepping 📘 Facebook: @artofstepping - www.facebook.com/ArtofStepping 📺 YouTube: www.youtube.com/@ArtOfStepping Tiktok: @artofstepping 📣 Presented by CPHP (Chicago Partnership for Health Promotion) 🌐 CPHP Website - https://cphp.uic.edu/ 🥗 Eat. Move. Save. Meal Kit - https://go.uic.edu/mealkits 📸 Instagram: www.instagram.com/eat.move.save.chicago 📘 Facebook: www.facebook.com/eat.move.save.chicago 📺 YouTube: UIC OCEAN-HP / @uicocean-hp1379 !! NOTICE !! Due to recent cuts to SNAP-Ed through the BBB Bill, Chicago Partnership for Health Promotions (CPHP) and many programs like it across the country have been defunded. This podcast will no longer be active after 2025, and many of our public health colleagues will lose their roles, and services will end for thousands of families. We invite you to reach out to our guests directly for any resources, services, or information they offer. If you value work like this, please contact your state senators. To support this specific program, reach out to OCEAN-HP. Your voice matters! #OCEANHP #CPHP #EATMOVESAVE #HealthierHabits #Podcast #UIC #HealthierHabitsPodcast #Dance #Exercise #Rythmn

In this inspiring episode of Healthier Habits, we sit down with Yaisa Hagood, Executive Director of the Southside Center of Hope, to explore how the organization has been a catalyst for healing and change for over 40 years. Serving women and children in Chicago’s most under-resourced communities, the Center offers safe housing, addiction recovery support, and the tools to build a new future rooted in dignity and hope.

Yaisa shares the story behind Southside Center of Hope’s long-standing impact and reveals future plans for their expanded Independence House. We also explore the power of community-based recovery, the role of nutrition education in rebuilding lives, and the ongoing challenges of expanding services for those in need.

🎧 Guest Yaisa Hagood — Executive Director, Southside Center of Hope

🔗 Mentioned Resources

🌐 Southside Center of Hope - sscoh.org

📸 Instagram: @sscoh.org - facebook.com/sscoh.org

📘 Facebook: @southsidecenterofhope3705 - www.youtube.com/@UC_lWhxfh9PwTJsR4WagzCnQ

📣 Presented by CPHP (Chicago Partnership for Health Promotion)

🌐 CPHP Website - https://cphp.uic.edu/

🥗 Eat. Move. Save. Meal Kit - https://go.uic.edu/mealkits

📸 Instagram: / eat.move.save.chicago

📘 Facebook: / eat.move.save.chicago

📺 YouTube: UIC OCEAN-HP / @uicocean-hp1379

#OCEANHP #CPHP #EATMOVESAVE #HealthierHabits #Podcast #UIC #HealthierHabitsPodcast #safehousing #addictionrecovery #rebuildinglives

In this episode of Healthier Habits, we explore the powerful role of school wellness and community engagement with Kenneth Varner and Jovita Flores from the Healthy Schools Campaign (HSC). Kenneth shares his journey from school health coordinator to championing green schoolyard transformations through the Space to Grow program. Jovita discusses the impact of parent leadership and organizing through Parents United for Healthy Schools.

Together, they show how HSC is making wellness a foundation of education in Chicago—especially within Black, Latino, and Asian communities. From nature-filled playgrounds to culturally relevant health tools, this conversation highlights how schools can become centers for long-term community change.

🎧 Guests • Kenneth Varner — Senior Community Engagement Manager, Healthy Schools Campaign • Jovita Flores — Manager, Parents United for Healthy Schools, Healthy Schools Campaign

🔗 Mentioned Resources • Healthy Schools Campaign • Instagram: @HealthySchools • Facebook: @HealthySchools • YouTube: Healthy Schools Channel

📣 Presented by CPHP • CPHP Website • Eat. Move. Save. Meal Kit • Instagram: @eat.move.save.chicago • Facebook: @eat.move.save.chicago • YouTube: UIC OCEAN-HP

In this episode of Healthier Habits, we dive into the inspiring world of food justice and digital connection with Israel Muñoz, Online Community Manager at Community Food Navigator.

Israel breaks down how this innovative platform is empowering Black, Brown, and Indigenous communities across Chicago by supporting food sovereignty, uplifting local growers, and connecting educators, advocates, and neighbors working to reshape the local food ecosystem.

We explore:

• What it means to participate in a local food ecosystem

• How the Community Food Navigator app is amplifying grassroots movements

• The critical link between technology, community health, and food access

Whether you're a home gardener, a community leader, or someone curious about where your food comes from—this episode is for you.

🎧 Tune in, get inspired, and take part in Chicago’s growing food movement.

🔗 Featured Guest Israel Muñoz | Online Community Manager | Community Food Navigator

🔗 Explore More 🌐 Community Food Navigator Website 📸 Instagram: @communityfoodnavigator 📘 Facebook: Community Food Navigator 📽️ Vimeo: Community Food Navigator

💡 Presented by CPHP (Chicago Partnership for Health Promotion) 🌐 CPHP Website 🥗 Eat. Move. Save. Meal Kit Program 📸 Instagram: @eat.move.save.chicago 📘 Facebook: eat.move.save.chicago 📺 YouTube: UIC OCEAN-HP

Special Guest Kathryn Bernstein!

In this episode, Kathryn explains how policies on food systems and nutrition directly affect our communities' health and well-being.

Kathryn Bernstein, she/her, is a Program Director – Food Systems and Nutrition Policy with the Illinois Public Health Institute (IPHI). IPHI is an Illinois-based nonprofit organization that works to mobilize stakeholders, catalyze partnerships, and lead action to improve public health systems to maximize health, health equity and quality of life for people and communities. Within her role at IPHI, Kathryn works to increase access to nourishing foods in workplaces and community spaces by overseeing the food and nutrition strategies, including organizational food service guidelines policies, in the Illinois State Physical Activity and Nutrition program cooperative agreements with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Kathryn is also involved in food systems, legislative policy, and coalition development initiatives.

• Guest Links:
  • Email: Kathryn.Bernstein@iphionline.org
  • Website: IPHIonline.org
  • LinkedIn: Illinois Public Health Institute