2024 Georgia Nutrition Council Annual Conference

The purpose of the Georgia Nutrition Council is to bring together professionals from all fields of nutrition in order to broaden their perspectives of nutrition and to unite their efforts in addressing nutrition problems in Georgia.Specific objectives of the organization shall be to:Promote and provide nutrition educationPromote awareness of current nutrition researchServe as a source of nutrition information

Georgia Nutrition Council

A Path Forward: Nutrition Sustainability for All

Join us for the 2-Day 2024 Virtual Georgia Nutrition Council conference, “A Path Forward: Nutrition Sustainability for All”, that explores the intersection of nutrition and sustainability, addressing the critical role our dietary choices play in the well-being of both individuals and the planet. As global concerns about environmental impact and food security continue to grow, this event will bring together thought leaders, healthcare professionals, researchers, and advocates to address the critical links between nutrition, sustainability, and equitable access to health.Don't miss this opportunity to be part of a dynamic exchange of ideas, research findings, and practical solutions that will shape the future of nutrition sustainability. This conference promises to inspire and inform, fostering collaboration and driving positive change for a healthier, more sustainable future.

Speakers

Participants will learn the benefits of the School Nutrition Program and the important role it plays in equity for students’ learning success.

Food is an Equalizer in School Nutrition

School gardens are an important experiential education tool that can enhance both the classroom and cafeteria at K-12 schools by increasing student engagement, vegetable & fruit intake, and social-emotional well-being. Grow It Know It is an annual school garden training program designed and run by a team of educators & horticulturalists at UGA. Learn how this program has helped teams of GA teachers & school nutrition directors successfully run and enhance their own school garden programs.

Grow It Know It- UGA School Garden Training Program 

School meals provide an excellent, reliable source of nutrition for students during the school year. Meals are available in certain areas for children over the summer break, but there are no existing programs that fund school holiday meals. Cartersville City School Nutrition has increased fundraising efforts in order to fill the gaps for our most vulnerable students. We were able to find community donations which allowed us to provide ready-to-eat, family style meals as well as some child friendly individually wrapped items over the Thanksgiving and Christmas breaks. These families were identified by our School Social Workers as needing extra assistance, many of whom live in hotels/motels and do not have access to a kitchen.

Filling the gaps with ready-to-eat family meals for students experiencing food

Food residuals make up 12% of landfill waste annually. That is nearly 151 pounds of food per Georgian every year, a total of 1.6 billion pounds of trash annually in Georgia. This amount of food waste translates to about $1.92 billion each year. In this session, we will discuss how to reduce food waste through such methods as kitchen scrap gardening, learning how to store produce, and helpful tips to keep more food on your plate and out of the trash.

Happy Plates: Reducing Food Waste

Join us for an illuminating session that aims to center the importance of equity in community development by showcasing the impactful work of People of Color (POC) community-based organizations (CBOs) across the nation. This session will delve into the innovative strategies and initiatives led by POC CBOs, focusing on the realms of nutrition, well-being, and sustainability.

Centering Equity: Empowering POC Community-Based Organizations in Nutrition, W

The early care and education (ECE) setting is a key lever for developing healthy eating habits for young children, their families, and communities. In this session, we will discuss Farm to ECE as an evidence-based framework for supporting healthy childcare environments. Participants will learn about free resources available for supporting nutrition and agriculture education in the ECE setting, and opportunities for connecting ECE programs to local, sustainable food systems. 

Objectives: 
After attending this session, participants will be able to:
•	Define Farm to ECE (Early Care and Education)
•	Understand how to access free Harvest of the Month resources, including lesson plans, recipes and newsletters.
•	Identify opportunities for nutrition professionals, including those working in Extension, to connect ECE programs to the local food system


Nutrition Resources for the Early Care and Education Setting

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