At Hebni, We Help People Eat Better!

Hebni Nutrition Consultants, Inc. is a community-based, nonprofit agency formed in 1995 to educate high-risk, culturally diverse populations about nutrition strategies to prevent diet-related diseases.

Hebni’s Vision

Hebni’s vision is to be recognized as the premier source of nutritional information that enables individuals to improve their health by driving changes in daily cooking and eating habits and increasing their knowledge of strategies to improving nutrition related diseases.

Hebni’s Mission

Hebni is committed to providing nutrition programs and services that empower and educate underserved and minority communities.

About Us

Pronounced /ˈebənē/, the name Hebni, is part of our heritage and is the Egyptian spelling of the word "ebony". To further enhance our work, we incorporated the acronym H.E.B.N.I. (Health Education through Behavioral and Nutritional Initiatives) to show the organization’s reach and capabilities. Hebni is committed to reducing health disparities among high-risk minority populations by providing comprehensive nutrition-related strategies to decrease, manage, and delay chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, cancer, obesity, and hypertension.

Hebni's founders have authored six best-selling cookbooks published by the American Diabetes Association that focus on healthy "soul food". Hebni’s childhood obesity program K.Y.D.S. Take Charge program earned Hebni the 2010 USTA Diversity Award, and the K.Y.D.S. program received an Orlando Magic Youth Foundation Award in 2011 and 2013. In 2011, Hebni was awarded the Sapphire Award of Distinction from the Florida Blue Foundation for Hebni’s accomplishments in nutrition education programs for minority populations. Hebni received a Disney Helping Kids Shine Award in 2011, 2012, and 2013 for its K.Y.D.S. Take Charge program that reaches more than 200 youth each year.

In 2009, with a partnership grant from the City of Orlando, Hebni opened its Nutrition Resource Center (NRC) located in the heart of the 32805 ZIP code.

In 2015, to further expand its mission, Hebni launched the Fresh Stop Mobile Farmers Market. Fresh Stop is a repurposed bus and fleet of cargo vans that was created to serve food desert neighborhoods. The market offers fresh fruit and vegetables in community-centered locations and at budget-friendly prices.

When Hebni's founders and registered dietitians, Ellareetha Carson, Fabiola Gaines, and Roniece Weaver met in 1994 they all shared similar concerns and a desire to help educate the community on nutrition education. They decided to form Hebni Nutrition in 1995 and the rest is "herstory"! Due to the alarming rates of diet-related diseases that plague our community, the work that Hebni does is more needed today than ever before.

Our History

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Simply put, we help people eat better. Our mission is to provide nutrition programs and services that empower and educate underserved and minority communities.

  • We’re always on the lookout for individuals like you wanting to get involved. Visit our Take Action section to find out ways to donate or volunteer.

  • We have a responsibility to our community and our donors and work hard to ensure long-term sustainability of the organization. We make our IRS Form 990 available for review, as required by law.

  • Unfortunately, we no longer accept insurance for nutrition therapy. However, we do have established affordable rates to schedule one-on-one consultations with our dietitians.

  • Yes. Our main office is located near downtown Orlando. However, we offer our programs and services remotely throughout the state of Florida.

  • The majority of our classes are offered at no charge. However, fees may be associated with program materials, travel, and individual consultations.