The Foundation for Fresh Produce says it connected with and educated thousands of dietitians over the past few weeks during two key events — the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics’ Food and Nutrition Conference and Expo and the Retail Dietitian Immersion Event at the International Fresh Produce Association’s Global Produce and Floral Show.

The foundation said the experiences delivered on its vision to grow a healthier world by boosting the appeal of fruits and vegetables and nurturing passionate fruit and vegetable professionals.

“We are committed to nurturing this critical stakeholder audience to help us increase consumption of fruits and vegetables across the globe,”Katie Calligaro, director of marketing and communications for the foundation, said in a news release. “Whether it’s through events like The Consumer Connection Conference in April, IFPA’s Foodservice Conference in July, the Retail RD Immersion Event at GPFS or by showing up where they are at FNCE and other nutrition conferences, there are many ways we stay engaged and connected with the health and wellness community throughout the year.”

Food and Nutrition Conference Expo

For the second year the foundation said it attended FNCE among the 8,000-plus nutrition professionals worldwide, Oct. 6-8 in Minneapolis.

The Have A Plant booth on the show floor featured fresh fruits and vegetables donated by FreshPoint Bix Produce Company, Have A Plant T-shirt giveaways, fun fruit and veggie tattoos as well as a Hack-A-Thon survey for a chance to win a spotlight on @fruitsandveggies social media channels, the release said. The foundation said its team engaged with nearly 3,000 dietitians during the three-day FNCE expo, highlighting resources to help people eat more fruits and vegetables like Educational Resources for Professionals and the simple message to pass on to their clients, patients and communities: Every time you eat, “Have A Plant!”

The team also supported multiple industry-related events, sponsoring the School Nutrition Services Dietetic Practice Group’s reception, connecting with K-12 school nutrition leaders and celebrating their important role in providing produce for school-aged children. The Healthy Family Project’s annual Trivia Night was also a success, showing support for its annual campaign, which donates to the foundation to support K-12 leaders at IFPA’s Foodservice Conference, the release said.

Global Produce and Floral Show

The foundation also hosted 20 influential retail dietitians at its 2024 Retail Dietitian Immersion Event during the IFPA Global Produce and Floral Show, Oct. 17-19 in Atlanta.

For over a decade, this annual event has given retail dietitians the latest in produce innovations, research and behavioral insights. With four days of educational sessions, culinary experiences, tastings, networking opportunities sponsored by the California Walnut Commission, Duda Farm Fresh Foods, Chelan Fresh and the National Peanut Board and immersing in IFPA’s State of the Industry presentation and education festival, the event was considered successful, the release said.

The foundation said prescheduled booth visits with California Giant Berry Farms, Frutas de Chile, Michigan Department of Ag and Rural Development, Oppy/Blue Diamond, Pear Bureau Northwest, Sakata Seed America Inc., Stemilt Growers, Sunkist Growers Inc., Taylor Farms and Westfalia Fruit were a highlight as the dietitians hit the show floor Friday and Saturday, the release said.

“The efforts made by The Foundation for Fresh Produce to engage with and inform dietitians are unparalleled,” said Alex DiNovo, president and chief operatin officer of DNO Produce and past chair of The Foundation for Fresh Produce. “We are excited to support and extend this mission into 2025 to enhance the global discussions on nutrition and contribute to creating a healthier world by improving human health through produce. This work wouldn’t be possible without the invaluable input from dietitians who educate, advise and communicate with consumers daily.”

Retailers in attendance included:

• AMInc. Healthy Path Market
• Big Y Foods
• Coborn’s Inc.
• Giant Food
• Hannford
• Harmon’s Grocery
• H-E-B
• Inserra ShopRites
• Kroger
• Mackenthun’s Fine Foods
• Meijer
• Natural Grocers
• Price Chopper
• Rouses Markets
• Stop and Shop
• WAWA
• Wegmans
• Weis Markets