This research investigates the role of food tourism in diversifying the livelihoods of rural communities in the Balasbeneh Rural District of Gilan Province. Although tourism has created new employment opportunities, the main livelihood for most residents is still agriculture. This is an applied, descriptive-analytical study. The statistical population consisted of 5,819 rural households, and a sample of 393 was selected using the Cochran's formula. The data were analyzed using SPSS software and non-parametric tests, including Spearman's correlation, Chi-square, and Kruskal-Wallis. The validity of the questionnaire was confirmed by five university professors, and its reliability was established with a Cronbach's alpha of 0.889. The results showed that the highest mean was related to the socio-cultural dimension, specifically the indicators for cultural interactions and a sense of belonging among residents (3.12 and 3.39). The lowest mean was found for the economic dimension and the physical-spatial status of the village (2.55 and 2.09). The highest correlation was observed between the environmental and physical dimensions (0.561), while the lowest was between the economic and physical dimensions (0.379). The "food revitalization" index had the highest mean rank (253.26), and "marketing (advertising)" had the lowest (63.56). The innovation of this research lies in its specific focus on the simultaneous relationship between food tourism, livelihood diversification, and the socio-cultural dimensions of rural communities in Gilan Province, which has been under-examined in previous studies. This analytical approach fills a gap in the literature in Iran, particularly in the northern regions, which has often focused on limited economic aspects or the mere introduction of local foods. This study demonstrates that food tourism can play a significant role in improving cultural interactions, promoting local food identity, and increasing job diversity. However, achieving economic development and a more diversified livelihood requires greater investment in infrastructure, training, and targeted marketing.