Press Room - ASPHN

ASPHN’s 2022 Annual Meeting To Celebrate 70 Years of Excellence in Leadership (May 12, 2022)

This year, the Association of State Public Health Nutritionists (ASPHN) celebrates its 70th anniversary! ASPHN’s President-Elect Jamie Stang, PhD, MPH, RDN extends an invitation to all nutrition professionals to join the celebration as we honor the work of our members and the history of public health nutrition during our 2022 Annual Meeting, “Bridging the Gaps: Celebrating 70 Years of Excellence in Leadership.“

ASPHN Recognized as a Healthy People 2030 Champion For Supporting the Initiative’s Vision (May 11, 2022)

The Association of State Public Health Nutritionists (ASPHN) is pleased to be recognized by the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (ODPHP) within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as a Healthy People 2030 Champion.

ASPHN CALL TO ACTION: Change How We Work to Improve Access and Encourage Eating of Vegetables and Fruits (April 13, 2022)

Ninety percent of Americans do not eat the recommended daily servings of vegetables. Eighty percent do not eat the recommended daily servings of fruits. Over the past thirty years, the percentage of Americans who consume the recommended daily servings of fruits and vegetables has declined, despite ongoing, high-profile public health campaigns and consumer education. To stop further decline in fruit and vegetable consumption and potentially reverse the trend, the Association of State Public Health Nutritionists (ASPHN) is responding with intention and urgency to this public health crisis.

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Now Available: A New Guide of Timely Funding Streams For Farm to ECE Activities (March 22, 2022)

A newly-released federal funding guide, Enhancing Young Children’s Access to Local Foods and Farm to ECE: Federal Funding Opportunities, details 12 funding opportunities with the potential for over $650,000 for farm to early care and education (ECE) and local food access programs.

A Year Two Farm to Early Care and Education Implementation Grant (FIG) 2021-22 Will Further Expand Farm to ECE Efforts in 10 States and the District of Columbia (November 18, 2021)

The Association of State Public Health Nutritionists (ASPHN) is pleased to announce that the Farm to Early Care and Education Implementation Grant (FIG) will continue for a second year, November 1, 2021 through October 31, 2022.

ASPHN’s Clean Away Ad Campaign Reaching Thousands of Consumers on Facebook and Instagram (November 17, 2021)

Using safer cleaning and disinfecting practices to keep common infections out of the home doesn’t have to be complicated or boring! That’s the message the Association of State Public Health Nutritionists (ASPHN) is communicating through its new social media ad campaign, Clean Away.

ASPHN 2021 Farm to Early Care and Education Capacity Building Grant (CABBAGE) Will Build Initiatives in Four Communities (November 16, 2021)

Farm to Early Care and Education (ECE) programs enrich young children’s health and lives through a hands-on approach to food, health and agriculture education, and increased access to healthy local foods. The Association of State Public Health Nutritionists (ASPHN) is pleased to announce a Year Two Farm to Early Care and Education Capacity Building Grant (CABBAGE) opportunity. Four Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH) recipients have been selected to receive CABBAGE funding and technical assistance to build or expand community-level farm to ECE initiatives, beginning November 2021 and ending July 2022.

ASPHN’s 2021 Annual Meeting To Focus On Resilience In Practice (May 26, 2021)

As we enter a new and more hopeful phase of the pandemic, we must prepare for the work ahead in order to meet the changing needs of our communities. ASPHN’s President-Elect Mary Ann Ellsworth, MS, RDN extends an invitation to all nutrition professionals to kick start these changes at ASPHN’s 2021 Annual Meeting, “Resilience in Practice: Pivoting to Address Changes in Public Health Nutrition.”

ASPHN Launches the Clean Away COVID Public Service Campaign (February 8, 2021)

The Association of State Public Health Nutritionists (ASPHN) has launched Clean Away COVID to help families effectively protect against COVID-19 in the home. Specifically tailored for WIC participants, the campaign offers vital information on hand washing and sanitizing, simple home cleaning practices, and safer disinfectant use if someone is sick. The guidance was developed in partnership with the Western States Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Unit (PEHSU), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR).

Portrait of a cute little mixed race girl in a yellow summer rummper eating an apple.

ASPHN 2021 Farm to Early Care and Education Capacity Building Grant (CABBAGE) Will Build Initiatives in Three Communities (January 19, 2021)

Farm to Early Care and Education (ECE) programs enrich young children’s health and lives through a hands-on approach to food, health and agriculture education, and increased access to healthy local foods. The Association of State Public Health Nutritionists (ASPHN) is pleased to announce that three Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH) recipients have been awarded CABBAGE funding and technical assistance to build community-level farm to ECE initiatives for an eight-month project period.

Farm to Early Care and Education Implementation Grant (FIG) Will Expand Efforts in 10 States and the District of Columbia (November 12, 2020)

Farm to Early Care and Education (ECE) programs enrich young children’s health and lives through greater access to nutritious foods and a hands-on approach to food, health and agriculture education. The Association of State Public Health Nutritionists (ASPHN) is pleased to announce that 10 states and the District of Columbia have been awarded $90,900 each to strengthen their state-level Farm to ECE initiatives for a one-year project period. These impactful plans were competitively selected from a pool of 21 applicants and include: Colorado, District of Columbia, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Vermont, and Washington.

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ASPHN’s Board of Directors Prioritizes Equity and Inclusion Within the Association (October 15, 2020)

The COVID-19 pandemic and numerous recent acts of police brutality have exposed our nation’s painful and continuous structural discrimination and systemic racism. These heinous practices are deeply embedded in our institutions’ systems, perpetuating inequities where we live, work, receive care, and play. Many state and local leaders are declaring racism a public health crisis or emergency in an effort to address equity and justice within their communities.

ASPHN To Kick Off Release of New Vendors Training Guide Tool With Webinar on April 15 (April 8, 2020)

ASPHN has released the “Vendors Training Guide Tool,” a data-driven resource for public health nutritionists who build relationships and create trainings and educational sessions for vendors, blind vendors, and Business Enterprise Program (BEP) partners under the Randolph-Sheppard Act.

Thank You For Your Service and Leadership (March 19, 2020)

As the COVID-19 outbreak continues to unfold, we wish to acknowledge and thank our members who are on the front lines of this public health crisis. Because of your tireless work and expertise, communities throughout the nation are offering much-needed nutritional assistance to our most vulnerable citizens. This work is being done while you simultaneously face unprecedented personal and family disruption, making it even more commendable.

Recent Findings Between Early Infant Feeding Practices and Long-term Health the Focus of ASPHN’s New Brief (March 5, 2019)

According to The First 1,000 Days: Nourishing America’s Future, nutrition during pregnancy and in the first years of a child’s life provides the essential building blocks for brain development, healthy growth and a strong immune system. ASPHN’s new 20-page brief, “Guidelines and Health Conditions Related to Timing of Early Infant Feeding,” offers relevant findings and proposed supportive measures to address infant feeding practices. These include the timing of complementary foods and the link to health conditions such as obesity, food sensitivity, allergies and anemia.

ASPHN’s New Brief Examines Linkages Between Public Health, Community and Clinical Dietetics (January 29, 2019)

Over the past several years, scholarly work has shown that inter-collaboration between clinical, community and public health nutrition services is effective at reaching wide numbers of people and improving health outcomes. The Association of State Public Health Nutritionists’ (ASPHN) new brief — “The Intersection of Public Health, Community and Clinical Dietetics” — explores the relationship between these three nutrition disciplines and offers innovative strategies combining the strengths of each.

Children’s Healthy Weight CoIIN is Structured for Success (August 29, 2018)

In recent years, the Collaborative Improvement & Innovation Network (CoIIN) concept has gained traction. For the state public health nutritionists (PHNs) participating in ASPHN’s Children’s Healthy Weight CoIIN, it is a framework for success. Supported by a diverse group of national experts, these professionals are working on innovative solutions to one of the nation’s most pressing health challenges — curbing childhood obesity.

Online Certificate of Training Program Beneficial at Any Stage of Career in Public Health Nutrition (April 16, 2018)

Top leaders, managers, new hires and even college students can enhance their competency through the Public Health Nutrition Online Certificate of Training (CoT) program. The CoT program contains five separate online modules that build on one another and focus on the fundamental components of public health nutrition. The affordable self-study series includes web links and resources for additional online learning opportunities.

Increase Your Knowledge and Skills Through ASPHN’s New Public Health Nutrition Website (March 7, 2018)

With the launch of PublicHealthNutrition.org, ASPHN has just made it easier for public health nutritionists (PHNs) to increase their knowledge and skills. This new and dynamic online nexus is the first and only one of its kind dedicated exclusively to providing links to hundreds of resources and programs available to PHNs.

African Heritage Foods Can Improve Nutrition, Decrease Disease (February 26, 2018)

Leafy greens, whole grains, legumes and tubers are among some of the foods that make African heritage cuisine a powerhouse of nutrition. As we celebrate Black History Month, ASPHN encourages the exploration of these plant-based foods that can improve nutrition, decrease disease.

ASPHN’s New Food Service Guidelines Resource Offers a Time-Saving Tool for Nutritionists (February 6, 2018)

ASPHN has launched a newly-designed website loaded with essential tools and resources for public health nutritionists. Brand new among them is a compilation of over 100 products related to Food Service Guidelines (FSG) that have been used or developed by state agencies and other programs. These products include standards, policies and best practices…

Watch How Public Health Nutritionists in Alaska Are Shaping Healthy Habits for Life (January 30, 2018)

For many Americans, the new year brings resolutions of better health and nutrition. For public health nutritionists (PHNs), the new year marks an ongoing commitment to help children shape healthy habits for life.

ASPHN Releases New Brief on Supporting Maternal Mental Health in Public Health Nutrition (January 16, 2018)

Every year, more than 400,000 infants are born to mothers who are depressed, making perinatal depression the most underdiagnosed obstetric complication in America.* ASPHN’s new brief, “Supporting Maternal Mental Health In Public Health Nutrition Practice,” addresses how public health nutritionists (PHNs) can strategically and positively influence the outcomes of maternal mental health.

Public Health Nutritionists Are Improving Nutrition, Decreasing Disease (November 8, 2017)

The Association of State Public Health Nutritionists (ASPHN) is pleased to announce the kick-off of its See It. Say It. Share It. campaign, a communications effort to promote the value of public health nutritionists. The campaign is based on a series of sound bites that can be used to help others learn more about the profession. The sound bites will be shared on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

Obesity Prevention Matrix (February 28, 2017)

Get the ASPHN Obesity Prevention Matrix. It is a resource designed to facilitate state-level strategic collaboration of federal program activities across funding streams.

ASPHN Releases the Preconception Health Toolkit (August 4, 2016)

This 3-document toolkit from the Association of State Public Health Nutritionists is a comprehensive guide for excellent preconception nutrition programs. Preconception care is the foundation for the healthy life of our future generations. Nutrition professionals have the opportunity to shape preconception care at multiple levels, including clinical, community education and policy settings. Summaries of each document are provided below, following the author’s note.

ASPHN Releases “Incorporating Nutrition into the Title V MCH Services Block Grant National Performance Measures” (February 25, 2016)

The Association of State Public Health Nutritionists (ASPHN) is pleased to announce the release of Incorporating Nutrition into the Title V MCH Services Block Grant National Performance Measures. This document lists nutrition related, evidence-based or evidence-informed strategy measures (ESM) to help states achieve the National Outcome Measures and National Performance Measures (NPM) in Title V. The resource includes at least one nutrition-related ESM for each of the 15 NPMs.

ASPHN Announces 2014 Success Stories (January 7, 2015)

The Association of State Public Health Nutritionists (ASPHN) announced today the release of its 2014 Success Stories. These stories highlight ASPHN members’ innovative work in their state agencies to promote healthy eating for all Americans.

The National Council of Fruit & Vegetable Nutrition Coordinators Releases A Modifiable Fact Sheet on the Safe Use of Salad Bars in Schools (May 9, 2014)

The National Council of Fruit & Vegetable Nutrition Coordinators is pleased to announce the release of a modifiable fact sheet for the Safe Use of Salad Bars in Schools. The fact sheet includes a set of guidelines, codes, and food safety procedures needed to safely operate salad bars in schools. It was developed using best practices from ASPHN partners and members including the Minnesota Department of Health and the USDA Food and Nutrition Service.

ASPHN Releases “The Role of Nutrition in Infant Mortality — A Public Health Perspective” (March 14, 2014)

The Association of State Public Health Nutritionists (ASPHN) is pleased to announce the release of The Role of Nutrition in Infant Mortality — A Public Health Perspective. This brief summarizes the impact of nutrition on infant mortality and identifies areas where nutrition interventions can make a difference in reducing infant mortality. It also describes the critical role that public health nutritionists play in preventing infant mortality. The brief includes a Call to Action for public health nutritionists and identifies four strategies, that if achieved, will better integrate nutrition into infant mortality prevention efforts.

Second Edition of Blueprint for Nutrition And Physical Activity Now Available (February 3, 2014)

The 2013 Blueprint for Nutrition and Physical Activity Expert Panel has released the second edition of Blueprint for Nutrition and Physical Activity: Cornerstones of a Healthy Lifestyle. The Blueprint is available for download at www.asphn.org. Using funding from the US Department of Health and Human Services, Maternal and Child Health Bureau, the document was collaboratively developed by the expert panel, the Association of State Public Health Nutritionists (ASPHN), and the University of Minnesota’s School of Public Health, Leadership Education and Training (LET) Program in Maternal and Child Nutrition.

ASPHN’s New Stories Highlight MCH Successes (January 10, 2014)

The Association of State Public Health Nutritionists (ASPHN) today released seven new stories showcasing the vital work public health nutritionists are doing across the nation to improve the health of women and children.

ASTPHND Changes Name to Association of State Public Health Nutritionists (June 24, 2013)

ASTPHND is pleased to announce that it has changed its name to the Association of State Public Health Nutritionists (ASPHN). The name change was approved by the association’s board of directors on May 10, 2013. The name was chosen after an intensive six-month board review and analysis, and it was announced to the association’s membership at its recent Annual Meeting in Kansas City, Missouri. The organization has also adopted the tagline “Advancing Health Through Leadership.”

Tri-Affiliate Obesity Prevention Workgroup Releases New Resource (August 22, 2012)

The Tri-Affiliate Obesity Prevention Workgroup released a four-page primer titled “The Role of State Public Health in Obesity Prevention.” Please share this resource widely with your members and colleagues. The new document is available at www.astphnd.org.

ASTPHND Releases a Primer on the Role of Public Health Nutrition in Obesity Prevention (November 26, 2012)

The Association of State and Territorial Public Health Nutrition Directors (ASTPHND), Obesity Prevention Nutrition Council Steering Committee has released a two-page primer titled “The Role of Public Health Nutrition in Obesity Prevention.” This new resource is available at www.astphnd.org, and we encourage you to share it widely with your members and colleagues.

ASTPHND’s National Council of Fruit and Vegetable Nutrition Coordinators Releases New Resource (August 23, 2012)

The National Council of Fruit and Vegetable Nutrition Coordinators, a council of the the Association of State and Territorial Public Health Nutrition Directors (ASTPHND), has released a trifold brochure encouraging schools to participate in the Let’s Move Salad Bars to Schools initiative.