In 2022, 17 million American households faced food insecurity, with the charitable food system recognized as a crucial lifeline for people facing hunger. Additionally, food insecure Americans are disproportionately affected by the consequences of diet-related diseases. In the Academy's 2017 Visioning Report, food and nutrition security was emphasized as a priority area for professional growth and future practice. Recognizing the inextricable link between hunger and health, nutrition professionals are leading a cultural shift to prioritize access to nutritious foods to neighbors in need.

Registered dietitians from Feeding America, the Federation of Virginia Food Banks and James Madison University describe coordinated efforts at the national, state and local level to catalyze changes within the charitable food system. The session will focus on the nationwide adoption of Healthy Eating Research Guidelines (HER) for the Charitable Food Network and how Feeding America's charitable food partners in states like Virginia have embedded nutrition and health within their strategic plans, collaborated across sectors to operationalize HER Guidelines, and developed innovative programming to implement Healthy Pantry Strategies within food bank and pantry environments to prioritize the nutrition and health needs of our neighbors.