CHIFAN NYC | Cultural Heritage and Identity through Food And Nutrition

About Us

Our Story

We believe knowing food from different perspectives can also empower one’s identity.

CHIFAN was founded by two Columbia University Institute of Human Nutrition (IHN) alumni, Danying Li and Eric Wang, and a passionate designer, Chumin Wu, with a shared vision for promoting culturally relevant nutrition education.

By delivering culturally relevant nutrition education, we hope to foster everlasting appreciation and celebration of the cultures, heritages, and identities that shape our communities through the lens of food and nutrition.

CHIFAN is now a non-profit organization and has obtained 501(c)(3) status.

Our Team

Our team combines expertise in education and nutrition, along with diverse backgrounds that strengthen and uplift one another.

Meet Our Team

Our Path

CHIFAN began humbly in 2022, small but full of hope. Though young, we are growing steadily—lifted by the kindness of our community and driven by a passionate team who truly believe in the power of food, culture, nutrition, and education to transform lives. Together, we’re building something meaningful, one step at a time.

June, 2022 ｜ Where It All Began

It is a journey that began at a small community daycare in Brooklyn. Danying, a registered dietitian and Columbia University student, inspired by her minority background, believed that food is deeply connected to nutrition—and that exploring food from diverse perspectives can empower personal identity. Resonating with this sense of cultural identity as a Chinese American, Eric, an aspiring physician and also a student of Columbia University, found meaning in giving back to the communities that shaped him to be who he is today, all the while championing the saying that food is medicine. Finally, Chumin, a brand designer passionate about food and nutrition, drew inspiration from color and shape theory to create engaging, vibrant lessons. Together, they joined forces to offer educational programs that spread the importance of balanced eating in a fun and meaningful way.

Fall 2022 ｜The Founding of CHIFAN

Two Columbia University Institute of Human Nutrition (IHN) alumni, Danying and Eric, teamed up with Chumin, a passionate designer with a love for food and education. United by a shared vision to promote culturally relevant nutrition education, they launched CHIFAN—Chinese Heritage and Identity through Food and Nutrition—as an alumni-led project under Columbia University's IHN. What began as a small initiative quickly grew into a community-centered program, committed to inspiring healthy habits and cultural pride through food, storytelling, and creativity.

Partnering with Public Schools and Empowering Volunteers

We collaborate with public schools in Flushing—home to one of the largest Chinese communities in New York—through the support of CPC (Chinese-American Planning Council) in Queens. At the same time, CHIFAN offers volunteer opportunities to Columbia University students, giving them hands-on experience teaching nutrition and cultural lessons to children in public schools.

Tailored Curriculum for Every Age

We’ve received heartfelt appreciation from both schools and parents, many of whom are eager to continue partnering with us. To ensure students of all ages stay engaged and benefit from our programs, we’ve developed age-specific curricula with our theory-based framework—carefully designed based on our past experience, classroom observations, and the developmental needs of each group. Our curriculum is tailored for Kindergarten, Grades K–2, and Grades 3–5, ensuring that each lesson is age-appropriate, engaging, and impactful.

Expanding Our Reach

Through persistent effort and commitment, CHIFAN has earned the trust of many schools eager to bring nutrition education to their students. Building on this momentum, we have expanded our programs to several public schools in Manhattan, continuing our mission to inspire healthy habits across the city.

Data-Driven Insights

To better understand the community’s needs, we formed a dedicated research team to collect and analyze survey data. Using our own research model, we share findings through papers and academic conferences—enabling us to learn from diverse perspectives and stay informed about the latest trends in the field.

DEC.2024 ｜ Official Nonprofit Status

We officially became a nonprofit organization, marking a significant milestone in our journey. This status has enabled us to expand our reach and deepen our impact, allowing CHIFAN to serve a wider community with greater resources and support. Our commitment to promoting culturally relevant nutrition education continues to grow as we bring our programs to more schools, families, and neighborhoods.

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