Celebrating Nutrition in March
Sofia Diaz Buezo
SNAP-Ed Nutrition Educator
Started in 1973 as National Nutrition Week and later becoming a month-long observance, National Nutrition Month® is an annual campaign established by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics that is celebrated during the month of March. Every year, agencies such as the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND), the U.S Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA) come together to discuss topics and to educate the public about the different aspects of nutrition, health through food, and physical activity.
This year’s theme is Beyond the Table. This topic will address the farm-to-table aspect of nutrition, educating the public about food production and distribution, how to navigate grocery stores and farmers' markets, as well as addressing home food safety and storage practices. It will also describe the different ways we eat – not only around the dinner table, but also on the go, in schools, restaurants, games, and events. The theme will also focus on sustainability and how we can make an effort to decrease food waste in schools, work, home, and beyond.
Each week throughout the month of March, the Academy of Nutrition will release weekly messages focusing on 4 different areas that will tie to the theme of this year. Then during the week, they will go deeply into details, exploring and providing people with different tips and strategies that they can follow along at home or how they can make a change in their communities.
The celebration also recognizes the Academy and its credentialed members to the public and the media as the most valuable and credible source of timely, scientifically based food and nutrition information.
As a SNAP-Ed Nutrition Educator and Registered Dietitian, I like to follow along and see the new evidence-based practices, research studies, and overall advice these agencies share with the public. It not only allows me to be more aware of what the community is seeing, but it also helps me to stay informed of the new practices, safety guidelines, and educational strategies that I can then bring to classes and share with our community.
If you want to follow along and keep yourself informed of the tips, recommendations, and information being shared as the month goes by, you can visit these websites: USDA, FDA, or ACEND
