Food for Thought During National Nutrition Month
National Nutrition Month® is an annual campaign established by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics over 50 years ago. This is a time to learn more about making informed food choices and developing healthy eating habits. This year’s theme is “Beyond the Table,” which addresses the farm-to-fork aspect of nutrition. The Idaho Foodbank prioritizes the distribution of nutritious food for meals, the promotion of nutrition education, and supports making healthy choices easy. We know there is a connection between the foods that we eat and our health, which can be even more significant for those experiencing nutrition insecurity.
In our last fiscal year, 86% of the food we distributed was considered nutritious. We categorize our food by fruits and vegetables, grains, dairy, and protein. This is based on the categories from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA). By making more nutritious food available through our network of 440 partners around the state, we are helping to get nutritious food to Idahoans who are struggling to make ends meet.
When we think about National Nutrition Month and making informed food choices, we know that nutrition education is a vital part of that. Our nutrition education tools help provide insight and resources to encourage individuals to make healthier choices for themselves. In fiscal year 2023, The Idaho Foodbank offered 43 nutrition education and point of service opportunities to our neighbors in need. These include Cooking Matters and nutrition education classes; presentations on nutrition; and the distribution of nutrition resources.
When we think about that farm-to-fork aspect of nutrition, we know that Idaho has always been a state with a strong farming community. Their support, and that of the larger agriculture industry, has been a big part of The Idaho Foodbank’s work to provide nutritious food to those in need. In our last fiscal year, 34% of the food we distributed was donated by food growers, manufacturers, and distributors.
Working together with our supporters, partner network, and our neighbors in need, we can build healthier communities. Nutrition is an important building block for creating a healthy community and we will continue to collaborate with others toward that goal.