Sustainable Food to Support Our Communities and the Environment

The American Dietetic Association believes that everyone has a fundamental right to the best quality of health care available and this right includes access to healthful food. As the past Chair of the American Dietetic Association's Hunger and Environmental Dietetic Group this presenter will discuss the key roles Registered Dietitians play in influencing the availability of healthful food from a sustainable food supply. This presentation will draw the connection between food systems and chronic health conditions. This presentation will also highlight several recent position and research papers published by the American Dietetic Association and its Hunger and Environmental Nutrition Dietetic Practice Group (HEN) which supported the creation of the shared Principles of a Sustainable Food System. Through their daily work in hospitals, the private sector, independent consulting, within community settings, public policy, and as advocates, Registered Dietitians strongly encourage environmentally responsible practices that conserve natural resources, minimize the quantity of waste and support the ecological sustainability of the food system. The principles provide a valuable resource to ADA members and the broader medical professional communities wanting to learn more about the interconnections between health and agriculture, to help prepare for teaching others about sustainable food systems, and for providing a starting ground for common language.