You can help shape better food and agriculture policies by talking to lawmakers about nutrition. You make a difference when you speak up for increased investments in food and nutrition research. You’re the experts who can explain how the Dietary Guidelines for Americans can be made more valuable. And you can have an impact in overall public health by urging a better integration of the Dietary Guidelines in public programs and individual decisions.

Lawmakers need to hear from experts in food, nutrition and health. Call for:

National Institute of Food and Agriculture
The creation of a National Institute of Food and Agriculture for research vital to our future.
Dietary Guidelines
Dietary Guidelines issued every 10 years instead of every five years. These tools can become more valuable to consumers by allowing for more comprehensive research and education between revisions.
USDA Food Assistance Programs
Support improvements to USDA food assistance programs to serve those in need. Help beneficiaries use food stamps consistent with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans through incentives and education.

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Your involvement already has advanced food, nutrition and health in tangible ways. Lawmakers responded when you asked for new nutrition programs and services in the Older Americans Act. The new version of the law was signed by President Bush in October 2006. Now, thousands of communities are in the process of implementing it, and your involvement in your communities can transform new possibilities in local, working realities.

Your voices combined to convince Congress that Ryan White CARE Act provisions should place new emphasis on food and nutrition, and to put Medical Nutrition Therapy into the category of core medical services offered. Local decision makers how must decide which services they will seek federal grants for within their RWCA programs. ADA members will have to lobby for MNT’s inclusion in those grant applications.

Your becoming a champion for nutrition is just one of many ways to effectively advance nutrition care and services. Being an advocate is just one of the most important.

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