Yvonne Izquierdo

Yvonne Izquierdo serves Cook County as a food and nutrition educator with Illinois Extension, as part of the health and community wellness team. Yvonne partners with community organizations and residents to provide research‑informed food, nutrition, and health education that is accurate, relevant, and interactive.

As a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and Licensed Dietitian Nutritionist with a master’s degree in Nutrition Science from the University of Illinois at Chicago, Yvonne’s work focuses on chronic disease prevention, food safety, food preservation, and healthy home cooking. Yvonne approaches food and nutrition education through a lens that emphasizes cultural responsiveness that honors both community knowledge and food traditions, aiding individuals and families in building the confidence and skills that support long‑term health and food access.

In addition, Yvonne brings avid interests in urban home gardening, fermentation, foraging, traditional food paths, and food systems, which are all informed in part by her background in Master Gardener training. Through hands‑on, community‑based programming and partnerships, Yvonne is committed to expanding access to practical, evidence‑based health information and supporting individuals and families in making informed choices that promote life-long well‑being.