Rainbow Pride Spectrum Board

I still remember the first time I saw a rainbow board at a Pride celebration in my neighborhood—someone had arranged fruits and vegetables in perfect color bands, and it stopped me cold. The way the reds curved into oranges, then melted into yellows and greens, felt like edible art. I went home that day determined to recreate that magic, and what started as a fun experiment became my favorite way to celebrate with friends and family. There's something about building this board that makes you slow down and notice the beauty in simple ingredients.

I made this for the first time at a small Pride potluck, and watching people's faces when they walked into the room—that mixture of delight and disbelief that something could be both this beautiful and this delicious—that's when I knew this board had become more than just food. It was a celebration in edible form.

Ingredients

• Red section—cherry tomatoes, strawberries, red bell pepper, raspberries: These are your bold statement colors. Cherry tomatoes bring that glossy, juicy pop, while strawberries add sweetness. The red peppers give you satisfying crunch. Tip: halve the tomatoes just before serving so they don't weep onto the board.
• Orange section—bell peppers, mandarin segments, dried apricots, baby carrots: This band bridges red and yellow beautifully. The mandarins are nature's candy, but dried apricots bring depth and chewiness. Baby carrots are perfect for snacking with dips—they're the workhorses of any grazing board.
• Yellow section—pineapple, yellow peppers, yellow cherry tomatoes, cheddar cheese: Bright pineapple chunks are essential here; they bring tropical flavor and that gentle tartness. The cheddar adds protein and richness. These yellows are unapologetically cheerful.
• Green section—green grapes, cucumber, snap peas, guacamole: Green is where freshness lives. Green grapes are naturally sweet, cucumbers stay cool and crisp, snap peas are tender and satisfying. Keep the guacamole in its own small bowl; it's the star of this section.
• Blue section—blueberries, blue corn tortilla chips, blackberries, blue cheese: This is the tricky color band. Blueberries are perfect, but blue corn chips add unexpected texture and that salty-savory element. Blackberries help deepen the blue tone. Blue cheese crumbles bring boldness.
• Purple section—purple grapes, blackberries, purple cauliflower, dried figs: Purple is regal and sophisticated. The blackberries work double duty (they appeared in blue too), but here they anchor the deeper tones. Dried figs add chewy sweetness and complexity.
• Serving accompaniments—gluten-free crackers and hummus: These are your supporting cast. Good crackers make the whole board more substantial. Hummus in a small bowl nestles among the veggies like a little treasure.

Instructions

Gather and prepare everything first:

Wash all your produce—let it dry completely on clean towels. Slice, halve, and cube as needed. Arrange each color group on a separate small plate or cutting board so you can see your palette before you begin. This step takes the most time but makes assembly flow like a dream.

Choose your canvas:

Pick a large serving board or platter—oval or rectangular works best for the rainbow effect. If you're nervous, lightly sketch invisible curves with your finger to map where each color band will go. You're creating gentle waves of color, not strict lines.

Lay down red with intention:

This is your anchor. Arrange cherry tomatoes, strawberries, red peppers, and raspberries in a flowing curve. Let them nestle together naturally. Some can overlap slightly; this creates that lush, overflowing look. Step back and look. Does this first band feel balanced?

Build orange with rhythm:

Follow right along beside the red, creating a parallel curve. Orange bell peppers are your anchor here; build around them with mandarin segments, apricots, and baby carrots. Notice how the colors begin to tell a story together.

Add yellow sunshine:

This section should feel bright and energetic. Pineapple chunks catch the light beautifully. Yellow peppers and cheddar cubes create visual interest. Don't worry about perfection; let the colors flow into their shapes naturally.

Transition to green:

Green is your halfway point. Arrange grapes in casual clusters. Cucumber slices fan out slightly for visual interest. Snap peas stand upright proudly. Place your small guacamole bowl here—it becomes a little green jewel in the center.

Deepen into blue:

Blueberries scatter like tiny gems. Tortilla chips add an unexpected crunch element and help define the section. Blackberries and blue cheese crumbles complete this complex, savory-sweet band.

Finish with purple majesty:

Purple grapes and blackberries create a deep, rich tone. Purple cauliflower florets add surprising texture. Dried fig halves are your final touch—they bring elegance and completion.

Fill the negative space:

Look at your board. Are there gaps between the color bands? Fill them with extra fruit, vegetables, or a few crackers. You want it to look abundant and generous. This is where the magic truly lives—in that sense of overflowing celebration.

Step back and admire:

Before you even serve it, take a moment to look at what you've created. A real rainbow, made entirely from nature's bounty. Then set it out, maybe set it in good light, and watch people react.

Save

The most unexpected moment came when my young nephew, who usually resists anything 'too healthy,' stood in front of the board and asked if he could eat the colors in order. We spent twenty minutes together, moving through the rainbow on his plate, and he told me it tasted better because it looked like magic. That's when I understood: this board isn't just about Pride, though it certainly celebrates it. It's about making people feel seen, celebrated, and delighted.

Why This Board Works for Any Celebration

A rainbow board isn't just for Pride events—though it's absolutely perfect for them. I've made versions for graduations, summer parties, birthday celebrations, and quiet Sunday dinners with close friends. The beauty is that it works because it celebrates abundance and diversity in the most honest way possible. No matter what you're marking, this board says 'I'm glad you're here, and you matter.' The colors speak a universal language of joy.

Customizing for Your Season and Market

The real secret to loving this board year-round is paying attention to what's fresh at your farmer's market or grocery store. Summer brings gorgeous stone fruits and berries. Fall invites you to play with pomegranate seeds and different squash varieties. Winter offers citrus, kiwi, and pomegranate. Spring is all about tender vegetables and fresh herbs. I've learned to build the color order first, then fill in the specifics based on what looks alive and vibrant that week. This flexibility keeps the board feeling spontaneous and seasonally honest.

• In summer, load up on berries and stone fruits; they'll be at their peak sweetness
• Winter invitations? Roasted root vegetables add warmth while keeping strict color separation
• Don't stress if a perfect color shade isn't available—a slightly different tomato still belongs in the red section

The Hidden Beauty of Slow Snacking

One of my favorite things about serving a grazing board is watching how people interact with it. There's no rush, no main course waiting impatiently. People linger, they try combinations they wouldn't normally pair together, they have conversations. The board becomes a gathering point. I've found that when food looks this good and is arranged this thoughtfully, people actually slow down and taste, rather than just consume. It transforms eating into an experience.

Save

Making a rainbow board is an act of love and hope all in one. It takes a little time, but that time is an investment in creating something beautiful that brings people together. Every time I make one, I think about how color, flavor, and care can transform a simple gathering into something memorable.

Recipe FAQs

→ How do I keep the colors from mixing on the board?

Arrange ingredients in distinct, curving lines for each color, gently placing dips and cheeses in small bowls to maintain separation and visual clarity.

→ Can I make this grazing board vegan?

Yes, simply omit the cheeses or replace them with plant-based alternatives to suit a vegan preference without losing flavor or texture.

→ What kind of accompaniments work best with this board?

Gluten-free crackers and hummus complement the fresh produce nicely, adding contrast in texture and taste.

→ Is prep time suitable for last-minute gatherings?

Yes, the board takes about 30 minutes to prepare with no cooking required, making it convenient for spontaneous events.

→ How can I adapt the ingredients to seasonal availability?

Feel free to substitute seasonal or local produce while keeping strict color groupings to preserve the visual impact.