Update app.py

app.py

@@ -11,9 +11,15 @@ DATA_FILE = "colorado_foodstamps.json"
 def load_json_data():
     try:
         with open(DATA_FILE, "r", encoding="utf-8") as f:
-            return json.load(f)
-    except FileNotFoundError:
-        return {"error": "Data file not found! Please upload a valid JSON file."}
+            data = json.load(f)
+        
+        # Ensure data is a dictionary, not a list
+        if isinstance(data, list):
+            raise ValueError("Expected a dictionary but found a list. Please update your JSON file format.")
+        
+        return data
+    except (FileNotFoundError, ValueError) as e:
+        return {"error": f"Data loading issue: {e}"}
 
 data = load_json_data()
 
@@ -56,4 +62,4 @@ def chatbot_response(message, history):
 # 🔹 Gradio Chat Interface
 demo = gr.ChatInterface(chatbot_response, textbox=gr.Textbox(placeholder="Ask about Colorado food stamps..."))
 
-demo.launch()
+demo.launch()