Please take two minutes to send your Senators an email urging them to support important food, nutrition and agriculture programs.

The Senate has passed a bipartisan Farm Bill out of the Agriculture Committee, and the bill is headed to the Senate floor for debate and final vote. This critical piece of legislation determines not only what farmers grow, but what is available in the United States’ food supply. The Farm Bill addresses food insecurity through a variety of food assistance programs and provides many jobs for registered dietitian nutritionists working in community nutrition. As registered dietitian nutritionists, we are inherently entrenched in every aspect of the food supply, from what is planted to what is consumed by our fellow Americans. We are leaders in the nation’s efforts for better health, through improved nutrition, and we need to have our voices heard on this important farm and food bill.

We need you to tell Congress how important these food, agriculture and nutrition programs are to you and for our country. Would you take two minutes and send an email to your Senators using the Grassroots Manager?

Many thanks, in advance, for your efforts!







Ethan A. Bergman, PhD, RDN, CD, FADA
President, 2012-2013

Questions asked in the survey:

1. Why is this an important issue for the Academy and its members to commit to?
2. What are the consequences of NOT mobilizing members to act to reduce or eliminate food and nutrition insecurity? (Ex. What would happen if we didn’t commit to reducing or eliminating food and nutrition insecurity? How would it affect our value to the public?)
3. What activities are taking place in your community to address food and nutrition insecurity?
4. What are you doing as an individual in your community to contribute to a solution for food and nutrition insecurity?
5. Other comments or concerns on this topic….

Introducing….

President-Elect Jennie Oler

Treasurer-Elect Maureen Murtaugh

Delegate Rickelle Richards

State Policy Representative Jean Zancanella

Annual Meeting Chair-Elect Theresa Dvorak

Social Media Chair Stacy Bevan

Social Media Chair-Elect Erica Hansen

Nominating Committee Member Maria Givler

Did you know that Harmons Grocery employs three full-time dietitians?  Whether you are located in the north, south, or central Salt Lake valley, a Harmons’ dietitian is available to support your nutrition practice.  Our dietitians are conveniently based out of three Harmons’ locations:

Harmons Bangerter Crossing (Draper)        Jonnell Masson, MS, RD, CD

Harmons City Creek (Salt Lake City)            Laura Holtrop-Kohl, MS, RD, CD

Harmons Station Park (Farmington)            Jessica LaRoche, MS, RD, CD

So how can a grocery store dietitian support you and your clients or patients?

• Free in-store grocery store tours.  Do your clients need help putting your nutrition guidance into practice when they grocery shop?  Our dietitians can help them navigate our aisles with a focus on label reading and appropriate choices for heart-healthy, diabetes-friendly, gluten-free or other specialized diets.
• Healthy cooking classes.  It’s no secret that Americans are eating out more frequently and cooking less.  Our dietitians and cooking school chefs team up monthly for health-themed cooking classes, including diabetes-friendly, gluten-free, and family classes.  Upcoming classes can be found online at http://www.harmonsgrocery.com/cooking-school/
• Wellness workshops.  Our dietitians hold interactive workshops every month on a variety of themes, including Eating for Immunity, Cancer Prevention, and Building Balanced, Healthy and Quick Meals.  These are a great opportunity for your health-engaged clients to broaden their nutrition education in a fun and informative atmosphere.
• Private store tours or workshops.  Do you facilitate a weight-loss or other specialized group?  Harmons’ dietitians can work with you to provide tailored store tours or workshops for your group.
• Individual nutrition counseling.  For your clients who require more personalized diet guidance, we offer a variety of nutrition counseling services and health screening packages.
• Partnership with our pharmacists.  We know how intimidating and confusing it can be for those newly diagnosed with diabetes, heart-disease, or other health conditions to manage their medications and diet.  Our pharmacists and dietitians team up to provide a complete health experience, including 100% consultation with our pharmacists 100% of the time, and free store tours and education from our dietitians.
• Online resources.  Have you checked out the “Great Health” section on our website?  You will find general and condition-specific nutrition information, including a diabetes shopping list and gluten free product guide, our calendar of upcoming classes, and our weekly dietitian blog.  This is a great resource for your information-hungry clients.  (http://www.harmonsgrocery.com/health/)

Tomorrow marks the beginning of our Annual Conference – Seeking the Cutting Edge… Sharpen Your Skill Set!  We have so many exciting things in line for all of our participants. You have seen many of our speakers introduced on the blog in the past few weeks.  Today we would like to give you some more information about the sponsor for our Lunch with the Board, the Dairy Council of Utah and Nevada.  

Founded in 1953, the Dairy Council of UT/NV is one of 18 state and regional organizations across the country that works closely with our National Dairy Council office to communicate and promote dairy products. Your local dairy council is made up of a small group of dedicated professionals who work on behalf of local dairy farm families to educate consumers, generate public awareness, and communicate dairy’s positive message. Promotion efforts represent local farmers’ legacy of on-farm excellence and environmental stewardship, and their commitment to producing quality, nutritious dairy products. With fewer and fewer people involved in agriculture, your local dairy council aims to make connections between food and farmer by introducing people to the faces, farms, and families behind their local dairy foods.

  

Members of Congress Send PPW Attendees Off to the Hill in High Spirits
The President of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Ethan Bergman PhD, RD, CD, FADA, presented Massachusetts Representative Jim McGovern with the 2013 Public Policy Leadership Award.  Rep. McGovern is an activist in the fight against hunger in America. “Hunger is a political condition,” stated Rep. McGovern as he spoke on the importance of the Academy advocating against budget cuts to nutrition and nutrition education programs.

Every week Rep. McGovern stands before Congress and urges them to put into words and action a plan to fight hunger.  McGovern went on to tell PPW attendees about his challenges with living on a food stamp diet for one week, limiting his food costs to $3 per day. “It’s hard to be poor,” said McGovern.

In closing, McGovern pointed out that nutrition plays a huge role in health care and the fight against hunger.  PPW attendees agreed as they rose to their feat to demonstrate their support of McGovern’s work.

Later that morning, Iowa State Representative Bruce Braley, whose daughter is an RD, spoke on moving from health care delivery systems to systems that reward for patient outcomes. Rep. Braley stated, “It is best to invest in prevention and wellness than treating sick people.”

Rep. Braley ended by pointing out that investing in training professionals, changing behaviors and educating patients could save the U.S. $25 billion a year in health care costs.  RDs can play a pivotal part and help lead the charge.

Academy Members Storm the Hill
Over 400 Public Policy Workshop (PPW) attendees gathered for the culmination of PPW’s purpose, storming Capitol Hill.  After two and a half days of numerous workshops, speeches and networking opportunities, members felt empowered to reach out to their members of Congress, a task that is often intimidating.

Anxiously planning their approaches, Academy members were chomping at the bit to let their voices be heard.  Upon reaching Capitol Hill, members dispersed to project a unified message on behalf of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Topics included the Farm Bill, Medicare Diabetes Prevention Act, Ryan White and loan forgiveness.

At the end of the day, everyone concluded their Washington, D.C. advocacy experience feeling confident and empowered, knowing that their members of Congress “are just people too.”

Sam Kass Keeps Let’s Move! Moving:
White House Chef, Sam Kass, updated PPW attendees on the First Lady’s Let’s Move! initiative. During the second Administration Let’s Move! is focusing on providing a simple, actionable message to the public. “We need to harness the power of marketing to promote healthy foods,” said Kass. He also pointed out that change happens on the ground first and RDs play a major role.

“To Be Nutritious, It Must Be Safe,” — Missy Cody PhD, RD: With foodborne outbreaks affecting 1 in 6 people, improving food safety infrastructure continues to be a vital component of public health. The new food safety regulations are shifting from documenting and reacting to preventing foodborne outbreaks.

Communicating Effectively and Confidently with Congress: Two communication workshops were offered to Academy members prior to Tuesday’s Hill visits.  At the beginner/intermediate workshop a public policy leadership panel discussed getting on the “public policy bus” and reviewed strategies to promote a strong public policy culture among dietitians. Prepare, practice, partner and take action by identifying your skills, resources and goals. It’s all about relationships!

Attendees of the advanced track learned the tricks of the trade to communicate effectively with members of Congress, such as knowing your audience, crafting a compelling message, delivering talking points effectively, relationship building, storytelling and managing the face-to-face meeting.  Key points: Start with the basics, avoid acronyms, stick to 2 or 3 messages, stay on track and remain in constant contact after your visit.

Believing in a Candidate: Grassroots Efforts for a Sustainable Impact

The Academy’s Legislative Public Policy Chair, Karen K. Ehrens, RD, LRD, emphasized that grassroots efforts to sustain congressional relationships are “the way to get things done.” She added that picking your candidate and supporting them entirely are crucial components of a successful relationship.

Ehrens introduced Senator Heidi Heitkamp (N.D.), the first female Senator from North Dakota.  Senator Heitkamp was welcomed with a standing ovation that preceded a riveting speech on the contrast of hunger and obesity as they relate to health issues. She emphasized the importance of nutrition as “the vanguard of the next great public health outcome,” with the first step being education targeted specifically to members of Congress.

Later, Maryland Representative Elijah Cummings addressed over 100 generous ANDPAC donors, speaking emotionally about the RD’s role in changing our nation’s health by using efficient, effective communication.  He concluded by encouraging attendees to “push for policies that keep our people healthy.”

Building a Local Food System 

A panel of experts discussed principles, policies and procedures to building a local food system. PPW attendees first learned from Susan Roberts, JD, MS, RD, about the basic principles of local food systems.  She stated that they should be health promoting, sustainable, resilient, diverse, fair, economically balanced and transparent.

Angie Tagtow, MS, RD, LD, defined Food Policy Councils (FPC) and encouraged Academy members to be involved as the nutrition experts.  She emphasized that health and environment must be incorporated in food system models and highlighted examples of FPC successes.

Carla Honselman, PhD, RD, LDN, took attendees on a visual journey to her family’s farm.  She informed attendees of the challenges to farming such as regulations, taxes, cost and consumer issues.  She ended by identifying areas of common ground between RDs and farmers, stating that both want to provide safe nourishing foods, promote sustainability, provide access to healthful food and utilize evidenced based science.

Biotechnology and GMOs – From Farm to Label:  Academy members gained perspective from local farmer and RD, Jennifer Schmidt, who uses biotechnology practices on her family farm and is mindful of keeping our environment clean, crops nutritious and children healthy. PPW attendees also learned from Melinda Hemmelgarn RD who stressed the importance of transparency and accountability and expressed concern about potential health impacts of GMOs.

A 1200 Calorie Salad?!: Dr. Margo Wootan from CSPI updated members on menu labeling regulations, which require chain restaurants to list calories on menu and menu boards.  Dr. Wootan hopes the final rule will also include movie theaters, vending machines and alcoholic drinks. With 1/3 of daily calories for Americans coming from eating outside the home, consumers should have the right to know food’s calorie content.

RDs Might Soon Gain Therapeutic Diet Order Independence: CMS proposed a rule that would allow privileged RDs employed by hospitals to independently order patients’ diets. RDs are the best clinicians to assess nutrition status, order diets and make modifications. The Academy and CMS agree: RDs are the nutrition experts!

Competitive Foods Might Lose the Race: Pew Health Expert, Jessica Donze Black MPH, RD, explained the proposed rule to establish nutrition standards on food and beverages sold outside of the school meal program. She stated that 80% of individuals want national standards for snack foods in schools and when nutrition policies for healthy snacks are implemented children eat more healthfully.

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics is Making History at PPW 2013!
The President of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Ethan Bergman PhD, RD, CD, FADA, kicked off the Academy’s 2013 Public Policy Workshop (PPW) with a powerful challenge: “If dietetics is your profession, then policy should be your passion!”  Dr. Bergman reminded attendees that advocacy starts with every member.  In sticking with this year’s theme, he inspired the audience by saying if we “work locally to improve the health of our community…it becomes a national movement.”

During lunch, Bergman presented the 2013 PPW Grassroots Excellence Award to an inspiring leader in grassroots advocacy and longtime (55 years!) Academy member:  Constance Locher-Boussard RD, LDN.  Connie is a prime example of a committed, passionate nutrition policy leader who assured PPW that she is not done yet!

Dr. Bergman helped bring the successful day to a close with his remarks at the PPW’s reception, where Academy members networked, mingled and reflected on the day’s teachings.  Sunday’s sessions energized members as we prepare for advocacy opportunities.

Academy Members Are Briefed on “Our Issues” 
PPW attendees were briefed on complex issues affecting dietetics, the future health of vulnerable populations, and the surrounding political environment.  Nutrition policy experts covered important topics such as the budget, sequestration, Older Americans Act (OAA) and the Farm Bill, all which are impacting RDs’ and DTRs’ ability to best practice nutrition and dietetics and provide quality care to Americans.

Sequestration, which went into effect on March 1, will cut millions of dollars to many vital programs and institutions, including NIH, FDA, CDC, WIC, food safety, Head Start, tribal services and senior meals. Since Congress is scheduled to pass a budget by the end of March, this is the perfect opportunity for us to storm the Hill and speak our message!

Robert Blancato updated members on the OAA, which aims to keep older adults independent at home and in their communities.  Nutrition programs, such as Meals on Wheels and congregate dining, are a major part of the OAA; they are critical to the well-being of the aging population.  Blancato informed members that OAA saves millions in Medicaid and Medicare dollars – a good tidbit to take with you to the Hill!

The Academy’s Legislative Public Policy Committee Chair, Karen K. Ehrens, RD, LRD, moderated a session on the Farm Bill with a particular focus on SNAP-Ed.  Experts informed attendees that SNAP and SNAP-Ed are susceptible to devastating cuts that would affect the 90 million people eligible for the program.  Members learned about SNAP-Ed’s innovative, creative, evidence-based, customized approach.  Educate Congress about SNAP-Ed; it’s not just pamphlets, pencils and posters but empowering programs and messages to help people make healthy lifestyle changes.

SNS DPG Recognized for Hard Work in Schools: The Academy’s School Nutrition Services (SNS) DPG was honored for its members’ dedication to improving school meals.  Dr. Thornton, USDA Deputy Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services, thanked SNS for leading our children to better health.

Expanding Coverage Through Advocacy: Changes in our health care system provide dietitians with opportunities to advocate and expand coverage for MNT services.  While changes will not happen overnight, it is up to dietitians to lobby, collaborate, and realize our importance in this exciting advancement.  Create your personal advocacy action plan today!

Nutrition Informatics is Coming to a Computer Near You: The Academy’s Nutrition Informatics Committee discussed technology changes that are impacting the way we care for our patients.  Health data will follow patients throughout their lives and we must make sure nutrition information is included and data is collected!  35% of hospitals are already using electronic health records!.

HEN Hosts First PPW Film Festival: The Hunger and Environmental Nutrition DPG showed the film Apple Pushers, a documentary portraying five immigrants’ trials as green cart vendors and detailing their roles in NYC’s struggle against food deserts.  59 attendees were left feeling, “If they can do it, we can do it.”

Shelly began her dietetics career working as an outpatient dietitian at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Shreveport, LA counseling patients on weight loss, CVD, and wellness.  She previously operated a nutrition and lifestyle private practice.  Each of these experiences has helped her in her most recent endeavor of developing Healthy Lifestyles – “an online magazine for classy co-eds specializing in nutrition, fashion, and lifestyle.”  Shelly is the founder and Editor in Chief of Healthy Lifestyles.  She also manages the day to day operations of the firm in addition to supervising the work of PR and Writing Interns.

Healthy Lifestyles began as a blog, but has expanded to a full fledge media site due to Shelly’s use of social media.  She has discovered the “ins and outs” of social media and has recognized how it can increase business productivity, exposure, and revenue.   Shelly has used her experience and success of College Lifestyles to consult with individuals and companies on social media branding and marketing.  Join us on Friday to learn from Shelly’s experience and knowledge of social media!

Brett is currently a family nurse practitioner at the Tanner Clinic, providing endocrinology and diabetes management.  This includes:  providing clinical diabetes management along with prevention and treatment of other complications (eye disease, kidney dysfunction, hypertension, dyslipidemia and neuropathies); and providing management and treatment of disorders such as hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, polycystic ovarian syndrome and hypogonadism.

Brett has not only worked as a family nurse practitioner with diabetes management but also acute pain and sedation.  He has also been a registered nurse for newborn ICU for about four years.

If you have interest in diabetes and diabetes care, Brett’s breakout session would be perfect for you!  We’ll see you Thursday morning!