The Future Of Food Partnership Deepens Commitment To Alleviate Hunger Through Increased Focus On Nutrition

ROSEMONT, Ill., May 22, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Food security – specifically, domestic hunger – is a major issue affecting one in six Americans today, including more than one in five children. National Dairy Council, Feeding America and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics formed the Future of Food Partnership in June 2012 to help solve this problem by improving domestic food and nutrition security.

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The Future of Food partnership is focused on increasing the availability of nutritious, safe and affordable foods across the country through innovative efforts to help alleviate hunger. In the next month, the partnership will award the first ever nutrition initiative grants of $10,000 each to 10 food banks within the Feeding America network. These grants are designated to support nutrition education and increased access to dairy products and other in-demand nutrient-rich foods.

"Dairy farmers have been committed to the health and wellness of Americans, with an emphasis on child health, for nearly a century; this includes addressing hunger and helping ensure every American has access to nutrient-rich foods, such as low-fat and fat-free milk and milk products, whole grains, fruits, vegetables and lean proteins. This partnership is critical to helping America close the hunger gap across our country," said Jean H. Ragalie, RD, president of National Dairy Council. 

"Milk is among the top five items clients request from their food bank," said Maura Daly, chief communications and development officer at Feeding America, the nation's leading domestic hunger-relief charity. "Yet, of all the foods we distribute, only 5.3 percent are dairy products. Knowing that we have support from National Dairy Council and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics we can leverage the partnership's collective resources to help ensure our food banks have a constant supply of milk and milk products."

To help meet food banks' demand for dairy, National Dairy Council and its state and regional affiliates are launching grassroots efforts nationwide. Beginning in June, "Give Good with Dairy" will kick off in local communities to drive donations of milk, cheese and yogurt directly to food banks through retail partnerships, voucher programs and local events.

"One year ago, we formed this partnership because we knew we could make a real difference, together, toward providing our entire nation with access to nutritious foods," said Ethan Bergman, PhD, RDN, CD, FADA, president of Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. "The food and nutrition professionals in our organization are dedicated to making a difference in their local communities by providing nutrition education and solutions to improve access to nutrient-rich foods through local partnership efforts." 

Look for the partnership's efforts in your local community, and join the conversation using #ThinkFood.

About National Dairy Council: National Dairy Council® (NDC) is a farmer-founded and dairy checkoff funded non-profit organization committed to nutrition education and research-based communications. Established in 1915, NDC is dedicated to sharing science-based expertise on the vital role dairy foods play in a healthy lifestyle. Milk, cheese and yogurt contribute important nutrients to children's diets – that's why providing children access to proper nutrition and nutrition education in schools has been a priority for NDC for nearly 100 years. For more information, visit www.nationaldairycouncil.org.

About Feeding America: Feeding America is a nationwide network of more than 200 food banks that leads the fight against hunger in the United States. Together, we provide food to more than 37 million people through 61,000 food pantries, soup kitchens, and shelters in communities across America. Feeding America also supports programs that improve food security among the people we serve; educates the public about the problem of hunger; and advocates for legislation that protects people from going hungry. Individuals, charities, businesses and government all have a role in ending hunger. Visit http://www.feedingamerica.org/. Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/FeedingAmerica or follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/FeedingAmerica.

About the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics: The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, formerly the American Dietetic Association, is the world's largest organization of food and nutrition professionals. The Academy is committed to improving the nation's health and advancing the profession of dietetics through research, education and advocacy. For more information, visit www.eatright.org. 

For More Information:
Joanna Hunter
312-240-2880
[email protected]

SOURCE National Dairy Council; Feeding America; Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics