By: Dayle Hayes, MS, RD Date: 11/8/10
The American Dietetic Association’s Food and Nutrition Conference and Expo (FNCE) – held this week in Boston, Massachusetts – is a once-a-year opportunity for registered dietitians to hear new research, see (and taste!) new products, and learn the latest in best practices in nutrition.
As Chair of the School Nutrition Services Dietetic Practice Group, I am thrilled to see an increased emphasis on childhood nutrition this year. School nutrition programs have certainly been under intense scrutiny recently, so it is especially important for ADA members to hear the good news about how their colleagues are leading the way toward healthier school meals and comprehensive wellness programming.
Recognition of school nutrition programs was kicked off at FNCE’s Opening Session when Registered Dietitian M. Josephine Martin, a nationally recognized authority on school foodservice and child nutrition programs, received the American Dietetic Association's highest honor, the 2010 Marjorie Hulsizer Copher Award. I had the great honor of participating in Dr. Martin’s nomination. Here are a few words from the letter that I wrote with a colleague, Tami Cline: As the country’s attention – from the White House and halls of Congress to the front pages and nightly newscasts – is focused on the health and nutrition of our country’s children, who better to recognize than a dietetics professional who has dedicated her life to enhancing the well being of children in schools. Dr. Martin is revered as ‘the crown jewel’ of child nutrition programs – a leader, mentor, expert, friend, and inspiration. And, she continued to inspire thousands of dietitians at the meeting with her gracious acceptance of the award on behalf of all those who work in school meals.
Speaking of inspiring, two RDs directors of school nutrition programs on opposite sides of the country – Worcester, Massachusetts, and Palm Springs, California – awed hundreds of attendees with their presentation on Sunday morning. In districts with high percentages of families eligible for free and reduced, these dedicated dietitians served delicious, nutrient-rich meals featuring tons for local produce. They also have family tasting parties, classroom visits by farmers, and “fear factor” assemblies that challenge students to try new produce items. Visit School Meals That Rock for photos of the Farm-to-School program that helped Worcester Pubic Schools win the Healthiest School District Award from the Massachusetts Health Council.
Today was also the launch of a very exciting program in Boston – Kids Eat Right, a joint initiative of American Dietetic Association (ADA) and the ADA Foundation. According to registered dietitian Dr. Katie Brown, national education director for the ADA Foundation, “Under the umbrella of Kids Eat Right, new resources and tools are available to help families take practical steps to a healthier lifestyle. This timely campaign is designed to both provide information and to empower families to actually transform their daily behaviors.”
Dayle Hayes, MS, RD, is president of Nutrition for the Future, Inc., based in Billings, Montana, and Chair of the School Nutrition Services Dietetic Practice Group of the American Dietetic Association.