ADA Foundation Matters is a quarterly electronic newsletter that covers current Foundation activities. It is sent to ADA members who have donated to the ADA Foundation.

In this issue

• A Message from Judy Dodd, ADAF Chair
• Kids Eat Right is Sweeping the Nation!
• The Importance of Supporting the ADA Foundation Annual Fund
• ConAgra Foods Home Food Safety Pledge, a Big Hit at FNCE
• ADA Foundation/ConAgra Foods Food Safety Student Challenge Winners Announced
• ADA Foundation to Host Research Breakfast at EB 2011
• Include the ADA Foundation in Your Estate Plans through the I WILL Legacy Society
• The Power of Partnership

A Message from Judy Dodd, ADAF Chair

Greetings and Happy National Nutrition Month!

Spring is here and the American Dietetic Association Foundation is blossoming with a number of exciting opportunities. The last few months have been a very exciting time for ADA, the ADA Foundation and the field of nutrition as a whole. In January, we released the State of Family Nutrition and Physical Activity Report, which utilizes information from a number of nutrition and health-related associations including the 2010 ADA Foundation Family Nutrition and Physical Activity survey results. The report portrays the current realities of kids' and families' eating and activity behaviors in the U.S. and how they relate to the prevalence of obesity and malnourishment, as well as unique opportunities and strategies to improve the health of our nation's youth. The findings also provide a foundation for the recently launched Kids Eat Right campaign.

Also in January, the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans were released, which address many of the health and nutrition issues facing Americans today. ADA and its Spokespeople supported the release of the Guidelines and continue to position registered dietitians as the experts when it comes to food and nutrition.

We entered our ninth year in the Champions for Healthy Kids partnership with the General Mills Foundation. More than 1,000 applications were received this year and are currently being reviewed. Fifty $10,000 grants will be provided to non-profit organizations who offer innovative nutrition and physical activity programs for kids. Final selections will be made by the end of March. We also appreciate the Western Pistachio Association’s support of the Kids Eat Right program and will be developing a new member toolkit on the Kids Eat Right member website to assist RDs in educating the public about healthy snacking.

Looking forward, the ADA Foundation is very excited about the coming months. As the ADA membership dues renewal process comes to a close for this year, we ask that you please remember the ADA Foundation by including a donation in your renewal. And remember that all donors to The Eat Right Society (gifts of $250 and above) will be recognized on the ADA Foundation website, in the Foundation's annual donor report and will receive a special ribbon at FNCE.

Be sure to look for an upcoming announcement regarding a $35,000 research grant made possible through the generosity of ADA member contributions to the Research Endowment.

As always, thank you for your continued support of the ADA Foundation. We would not be able to make such great progress without your generosity and commitment.

Sincerely,

Judy Dodd, MS, RD, LDN
ADA Foundation Chair

Kids Eat Right is Sweeping the Nation

In just a few short months, Kids Eat Right has already gathered more than 1,300 ADA members as Campaign Volunteers! We also have more than 3,000 fans and followers of Kids Eat Right on Facebook and Twitter.

The American Dietetic Association and ADA Foundation’s first joint initiative, Kids Eat Right, is a member-driven campaign to help prevent childhood obesity. Registered dietitians and ADA members are leading the way to redirect the dialogue to promote quality nutrition for all children.

Kids Eat Right aims to mobilize our members to take actions to educate families, communities and policy makers about the importance of quality nutrition for all children. Become a Campaign Volunteer.

Campaign Volunteers commit to taking at least two actions. All Campaign Volunteers will participate in our social media outreach. Each Monday, Campaign Volunteers receive via e-mail a Monday Message from Kids Eat Right. They agree to distribute the Monday Message to their network of friends, family, clients, etc., through whatever social media they prefer – e-mail, Facebook, blog postings, Twitter, electronic newsletters, etc.

The other action is whatever else they’d like to do, but many suggested actions and support materials are provided on the Kids Eat Right website. There are five focus areas (School, Community, Worksite Wellness, Influencing Policy and Media Outreach) and different types of actions under each (Meetings and Coalitions, Presentations, Projects and Programs, Media). Once one or more actions are selected, the website populates one’s own personalized action plan. Campaign Volunteers can record their progress and note when an action has been completed. Activities that are part of one’s work or volunteer time should be included. This gives ADA the ability to quantify and promote our members’ impact and reach across the country.

Many resources (PowerPoint presentations, tip sheets, downloadable handouts) are provided by ADA members, DPG/MIGs and state affiliates. Several additional resources can be found in the Campaign Volunteer Toolkit on the website, including new content, CPE offerings, grant opportunities and fun promotions and incentives, all available to Campaign Volunteers.

The Monday Messages should drive parents to a new website for the public. This new site is designed to help families shop smart, cook healthy and eat right. Each week a new tip, recipe, article or video will be posted. All content for this site is also contributed by registered dietitians and ADA members.

Many ADA members are fortunate to hear about Kids Eat Right in person, through states and DPGs who have sponsored presentations at their meetings. Thank you to the Weight Management DPG, Florida Dietetic Association, Kentucky Dietetic Association, Minnesota Dietetic Association, Missouri Dietetic Association, New York Dietetic Association and Vermont Dietetic Association. Thanks to all DPG and state affiliates for promoting Kids Eat Right to your members through newsletters, e-mails and webinars!

Kids Eat Right is bringing many new opportunities for RDs to local communities. In partnership with the National Dairy Council, over 50 mini-grants have been awarded to RDs in 10 communities to implement the Fuel Up To Play 60 program, creating environmental change within the school environment by utilizing students to initiate the change. In partnership with the Met Life Foundation, mini grants have been awarded to RDs to lead parent empowerment programs in selected communities in the U.S. Many more Kids Eat Right grant opportunities for RDs are coming soon – stay tuned. View this video for an overview of Kids Eat Right and to see a highlight of some of the grant opportunities currently being offered through the ADAF for Kids Eat Right.

All ADA members should be aware of current trends in children’s intake and family eating patterns. The State of Family Nutrition and Physical Activity report is available and accessible for free to all ADA members and contains valuable and useful information on such trends and patterns.

Other Opportunities to Help Kids Eat Right

Contributions to Kids Eat Right will benefit our members by providing useful resources for the public, providing more RD grants to deliver the quality nutrition approach message, developing new content for Kids Eat Right member and public websites, providing recognition of RDs working to prevent child obesity, increasing visibility of our profession and making a lasting impact on children and families across the U.S. You can support Kids Eat Right through a donation to the Annual Fund on your membership renewal this spring, or through the ADAF website at any time.

Also, did you know that ADA has a new and affordable certificate program? You can obtain ADA’s first online Certificate of Training Program – Prevention Strategies for Childhood Obesity: What Every Registered Dietitian Needs to Know. The program contains three modules, each two hours in length for a 6-hour CPE and certificate opportunity. Each module includes an impressive list of speakers and many informative resources. To receive the Certificate of Training, you will need to pass the final exam with an 80%. The Certificate will be e-mailed within two weeks from the time of completion. The cost is just $59.00. Register for one or more of the modules »

The Importance of Supporting the ADA Foundation Annual Fund

The ADA Foundation relies on the generosity of ADA members, DPGs, affiliates and partnerships with corporations and similar organizations to fulfill our mission of advancing public health and nutrition utilizing the expertise of registered dietitians. We fulfill this mission by awarding scholarships to deserving dietetic students at all levels, providing continuing education and recognition awards to ADA members, funding member conducted research and developing public education campaigns such as the new Kids Eat Right.

All of these programs meet the needs of members as well their clients and all have costs involved with their implementation. Dues renewal statements have arrived and each ADA member has the opportunity to support the Foundation’s Annual Fund by adding a donation to your dues renewal amount. The Annual Fund is the money the Foundation uses to continue our grant-making and fundraising activities and provide opportunities to showcase the expertise of the registered dietitian.

As the end of ADA's fiscal year approaches, please take a moment to make a gift to the ADA Foundation through your dues statement, the ADAF website or by contacting the ADA Foundation directly at lhudson@eatright.org.

All annual donations of $250 or more qualify for membership in the ADA Foundation’s prestigious annual giving club, The Eat Right Society. The Eat Right Society recognizes members during FNCE with a special ribbon and invitation to the Foundation’s annual Donor Reception.

ConAgra Foods Home Food Safety Pledge, a Big Hit at FNCE

ConAgra Foods completed our Home Food Safety ‘pledge’ activity with ADA members on December 31, 2010. ADA members who signed a card pledging to improve consumer awareness of home food safety at the ADA FNCE exhibit booth and shared a food safety tip at the ConAgra Foods health professional website were counted. For each visit and tip, ConAgra Foods pledged a donation to the ADA Foundation.

Below is a picture from ADA FNCE which shows the strong response the activity enjoyed at the ConAgra Foods exhibit booth.

A total of $5,000 was raised for the ADA Foundation’s Nutrition Education for the Public fund. “Supporting the ADA Foundation’s public education efforts is a great way to recognize both our members’ nutrition expertise as well as the Foundation’s philanthropic efforts on behalf of the members,” said Barbara J. Ivens, MS, RD, FADA, senior nutrition director, ConAgra Foods.

ADA 2010 ‘Pledge Food Safety’ message Tower

ADA Foundation/ConAgra Foods Food Safety Student Challenge Winners Announced

College living provides a unique opportunity to educate students on the importance of food safety. The goal of the ADA Foundation/ConAgra Foods Food Safety Challenge is to educate and improve food safety for those living on campus, focusing on these four key areas.

Winners were selected based on innovation, creativity, feasibility of assessment methods, achievability of the program, reach and the use of resources on the Home Food Safety website.

The winners will each receive a $4,500 scholarship and a zip camera that can be used to document the food safety programs that are implemented on their campus. The videos submitted by the winners will be posted on the ADAF website this summer.

The ADA Foundation thanks ConAgra Foods for their support of ADA, the ADA Foundation and dietetic students across the country.

These scholarships are separate from the ADAF General Scholarship Program for which a separate application is required.

2011 ADA Foundation/ConAgra Foods Food Safety Student Challenge Winners:

• Allison Appletoft: South Dakota State University
• Andrea Bortnik: University of California, Los Angeles
• Andrea Ficarra, Erin Gager, Courtney Lee, Marina Vineis: Rutgers the State University of New Jersey*
• Emily Ford, RD, LDN, CDE; Shelley Marcus, RD; Laura Greenhow; Lauren Kort: University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill*
• Stephanie Harshman: Ohio University
• Amanda Henderson: Clemson University
• Ana M. Hernandez: Universidad del Turabo, Gurabo, Puerto Rico
• Patrick Johnson: Eastern Michigan University
• Thony Tran: University of Massachusetts Amherst

*applied as a team

ADA Foundation to Host Research Breakfast at EB 2011

The ADA Foundation will be hosting a breakfast on Sunday, April 10, from 7:00 a.m. to 8:15 a.m., during the Experimental Biology (EB 2011) meeting in Washington, DC. ADA’s Chief Science Officer Esther Myers, PhD, RD, FADA, will provide an update on ADA and ADA Foundation research activities. The agenda will also feature the latest news on Kids Eat Right.

The Experimental Biology meeting is held annually and is comprised of nearly 13,000 scientists and exhibitors. This multidisciplinary, scientific meeting features plenary and award lectures, pre-meeting workshops, oral and posters sessions, on-site career services and exhibits of an array of equipment, supplies and publications required for research labs and experimental study.

All ADA members attending the conference are welcome to attend the breakfast.

This year’s breakfast is generously sponsored by ADA Premier Sponsor, PepsiCo. For more information or to RSVP, please contact jhenden@eatright.org. For more information on EB 2011, visit the EB 2011 website.

Include the ADA Foundation in Your Estate Plans through the I WILL Legacy Society

The ADA Foundation I WILL Legacy Society recognizes those individuals who wish to provide estate gifts to the ADA Foundation. The I WILL Legacy Society offers members and friends a patronage opportunity that will continue to impact the dietetics profession and leave a legacy that will live into the future. There are many ways to become a member of the I WILL Legacy Society including gifts of stocks, bonds and securities, donating a life insurance policy and naming the ADA Foundation as a beneficiary of your retirement plan.

As a member of the I WILL Legacy society, I feel that I am ensuring that the Foundation will have continued support for many years to come. Each bequest makes a difference in the work that the Foundation accomplishes today and in the future. — Audrey Wright, MS, RetRD

Top 10 Reasons to Join the ADA Foundation Legacy Society

1. Maximize tax benefits
2. Preserve financial assets for your lifetime and family needs
3. Invest in the future of your profession
4. Make your wishes known
5. Take advantage of ADAF’s planned giving services
6. Demonstrate your philanthropy
7. Ensure the ADA Foundation has a secure basis of funding in the years ahead
8. Plan for retirement income, for loved ones and professional legacies
9. Receive recognition during your lifetime by supporting your professional organization
10. Help the ADA Foundation achieve its mission of advancing public health and nutrition utilizing the expertise of registered dietitians.

For more information on any planned giving option, contact Susie Burns (sburns@eatright.org; 312/899-4752).

The Power of Partnership

The ADA Foundation receives generous support for its scholarship, awards, public education and research grant program from corporations, Dietetic Practice Groups and Affiliates. This generous support enables the ADA Foundation to continue our mission of advancing public health and nutrition utilizing the expertise of registered dietitians. We are extremely grateful to the following groups for their instrumental support of the growth and success of the ADA Foundation.

Abbott Nutrition

One of the many ways Abbott Nutrition has supported the ADA Foundation is through the establishment of a research award in the area of renal disease and nutrition. Abbott Nutrition has also sponsored nutrition symposiums at FNCE and is an ADA Premier Sponsor. Abbott Nutrition develops and markets a wide range of science-based infant formulas, medical nutritionals, nutrition and energy bars and related products to support the growth, health and wellness of people of all ages.

Colgate Palmolive

The Colgate Palmolive grant is given to support research in nutrition and oral health or dental education by doctoral students seeking a doctorate in these areas. In addition, the company has supported ADAF with a $5,000 gift to the Scholarship Program. Colgate is a leading consumer products company, committed to advancing technology, which can address changing consumer needs throughout the world.

Commission on Dietetic Registration

The Commission on Dietetic Registration has established a scholarship fund through ADA to provide financial support for registered dietitians who are enrolled in a doctoral degree program in dietetics or dietetics-related field. Their support will enable ADAF to provide ten $10,000 scholarships for the 2010-2011 academic year. CDR is also establishing a grant program to advanced practice residencies through ADAF. CDR is the credentialing agency for ADA and serves the public by establishing and enforcing standards for certification, recertification and by issuing credentials to individuals who meet these standards.

Mead Johnson Nutrition

For more than 50 years, Mead Johnson Nutrition’s support of the ADAF Scholarship Program has aided students in a dietetics education program who have an interest in pediatric nutrition. In addition, Mead Johnson sponsors the Foundation’s Scholarship Committee Meeting each May at their headquarters in Evansville, IN. At this meeting, recipients for the Foundation’s scholarships are chosen. The mission of Mead Johnson Nutrition is to create nutritional brands and products trusted to give infants and children the best start in life.

We appreciate the generous support of the donors listed in this issue. The next issue of Foundation Matters will feature additional corporate supporters.