OVERVIEW OF FOOD IS MEDICINE

Jessica Donze Black, RD, MPH is non-profit leader and nutrition expert with over twenty-five years of experience improving the health of children, families, and communities. Jessica is the National Vice President of Community Health for the American Heart Association (AHA). She leads the AHA’s community health strategy and works with teams across the country to improve nutrition security and reduce chronic disease..

FOOD SOVEREIGNTY

Linda Black Elk is a food sovereignty activist and teacher of traditional plant uses, gardening, food preservation, and foraging. She collects and prepares traditional foods and medicines for Indigenous peoples and communities in North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, and beyond. Linda currently serves as the Educational Programming and Community Development Leader at the North American Traditional Indigenous Food Systems (NATIFS).

Climate Change: Implications for Agriculture and Food

Katie Black is an Extension Educator with the University of Minnesota’s Climate Adaptation Partnership (MCAP). Katie works with partners across the food and agriculture sector in Minnesota and the Midwest to prepare for and adapt to a changing climate. As a scientist with degrees in biology, environmental studies, and applied plant sciences, her interest in climate change and agriculture stem from experiences abroad and close to home.

FEDERAL UPDATE: CDC-DNPAO

This federal update will be presented by Anu Pejavara, the Chief of the Nutrition Branch in CDC’s Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity (DNPAO). She provides leadership and subject matter expertise to guide collaborative efforts addressing national and global nutrition priorities. Throughout her 20-year tenure at CDC, Anu has contributed to functional areas across the knowledge to action spectrum: surveillance, research, synthesis, translation, program development, training, and evaluation.

FEDERAL UPDATE: USDA FNS

This federal update included presentations from Jennifer Ortner, MS, RD, a nutritionists with the USDA FNS, Supplemental Nutrition & Safety Programs (SNAS) Policy Division and Donna Johnson-Bailey, MPH, RDN, the Senior Nutrition Advisor for the USDA FNS.

FEDERAL UPDATE: HRSA-MCHB

This federal update will be presented virtually by Lauren Ramos, MPH, the Director of MCHB’s Division of MCH Workforce Development, and Meredith Morrissette, MPH, the MCHB Nutrition Lead of MCHB’s Division of MCH Workforce Development.

STATE SHARING

This Annual Meeting State Sharing session will included presentations and a facilitated panel discussion featuring the following presenters/states/regions:

• Portland, Oregon – Julie Reeder, PhD, MPH, MS, CHES, Senior Research Analyst, Oregon Health Authority, WIC Program
• North Carolina – Diane Beth, MS, RDN, LDN, Nutrition Program Consultant, Division of Child and Family Well-Being, Whole Child Health Section, North Carolina Department of Health, and Human Services
• East Lansing, Michigan – Bella Pagogna, Produce Prescription Program Manager, Michigan Farmers Market Association (MIFMA)
• Escanaba, Michigan – Tammy Rosa, Nutrition Program Manager, QA Specialist, Upper Peninsula Commission for Area Progress (UPCAP)

Global Market and Indigenous Food Lab Tours

The 2024 Annual Meeting will wrap up with tours of the Midtown Global Market and the Indigenous Food Lab. The food lab is part of the North American Traditional Indigenous Food Systems (NATIFS), which is “a beacon of Indigenous food revival and educational support” and “guided by Chef Sean Sherman’s research and advocacy, and wisdom shared by tribal communities around the world.” The Midtown Global Market boasts they “exist to promote the economic, social and cultural assets of Minnesota and celebrate the healthy foods, arts, crafts and other aspects…”