2019 FNCE Highlights

cooking
Written By Judy Doherty, MPS, PCII

I am blogging to you from the 2019 Food and Nutrition Conference and Exhibition  #FNCE2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

FNCE is the annual conference by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics for their dietitian and associate members. The conference brings together vendors, clinical dietetic practitioners, researchers, hot topic speakers, government agencies, and many other health professionals to discuss the current topics of nutrition as well as to show new foods and trends in foodservice and grocery stores.

I have a few important highlights to share from this year's sessions and food exhibition.The sustainable food system lecture on Sunday morning was very good. You can see the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics's new Future Food webpage to get a grasp on many topics as well as their outstanding resources. I think the one infographic that is so relevant to all food and nutrition professionals is the Feeding the World infographic. “This infographic is from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation. Visit eatrightfoundation.org 

The takeaway message from the sustainability panel session is to be informed about the issues facing the entire world and to do all that you can in your own job to be part of the effort.

Some attendees dubbed sustainability as saving the planet with your fork. And that is certainly an effective message and a good start. But the speakers from four universities brought up so many more issues. They emphasized that the professionals who become informed and take action in their own jobs will have an edge in their careers and will be an important part of the efforts to have a healthy food system for the future.Some of the needs for a sustainable and healthful food system that were discussed included:

  1. reduce food waste - how can you make a difference by reducing waste in your facility. The idea of saving extra food is not as efficient as eliminating waste and composting garbage and using compostable packaging.
  2. agricultural diversity
  3. agricultural best practices to preserve and guard natural resources while optimizing yields
  4. healthy food and safe water for all, not just the wealthy
  5. optimizing agricultural, manufacturing, and supply chains with planet and nutrition; being more plant-based

I had a lot of fun touring the big expo of food vendors.

Here are a few pictures highlighting my observed trend of plant-based and sustainably made food products and messaging:There was one big theme throughout almost all of the booths this year and it was "save the planet." Plant-based food rules! This is very different from previous years where "sugar-free, carb-free, fat-free, gluten-free, fiber, calcium, and many other fad diets and nutrition claims ruled the floor. Most foods featured this year are "natural", "organic", "from the family farm", and "plant-based." This year brought good feelings in observing all of the positive creations on the showroom floor!

I am bringing you my favorite observations after walking all of the aisles!

Check out plant-based Tuno:Veggie burgers:The Have A Plant campaign by the Fruits and Veggies for Better Health:Imperfect Foods:Bada Bean snacks:Snow Monkey dairy-free ice cream:The Jack Fruit Company: Splenda Stevia:Agriscience Corteva:Cauliflower Pizza and fun messages to "Veg Out" or "Live Life on the Veg": And so many more plant products and messages! One really great advantage to the Philly Convention Center is the Reading Food Market that is filled with local food stalls and just across the street. I enjoyed a great plant-based lunch inspired by all of the foods that I saw in the expo.I have enjoyed writing this year's report since I am an MPS student at the Culinary Institute of America and we are studying sustainability. It is great to see that the dietitians and many food vendors are taking part in helping our food future!You can compare and contrast 2019 FNCE to the past two years to see the evolution of food manufacturing and marketing:2018 FNCE2017 FNCE [shopify embed_type="collection" shop="nutrition-education-store.myshopify.com" product_handle="nutrition-month-health-fair-display"]

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Judy Doherty, MPS, PCII

Judy’s passion for cooking began with helping her grandmother make raisin oatmeal for breakfast. From there, she earned her first food service job at 15, was accepted to the world-famous Culinary Institute of America at 18 (where she graduated second in her class), and went on to the Fachschule Richemont in Switzerland, where she focused on pastry arts and baking. After a decade in food service for Hyatt Hotels, Judy launched Food and Health Communications to focus on flavor and health. She graduated with Summa Cum Laude distinction from Johnson and Wales University with a BS in Culinary Arts, holds a master’s degree in Food Business from the Culinary Institute of America, two art certificates from UC Berkeley Extension, and runs a food photography & motion studio where her love is creating fun recipes and content.

Judy received The Culinary Institute of America’s Pro Chef II certification, the American Culinary Federation Bronze Medal, Gold Medal, and ACF Chef of the Year. Her enthusiasm for eating nutritiously and deliciously leads her to constantly innovate and use the latest nutritional science and Dietary Guidelines to guide her creativity, from putting new twists on fajitas to adapting Italian brownies to include ingredients like toasted nuts and cooked honey. Judy’s publishing company, Food and Health Communications, is dedicated to her vision that everyone can make food that tastes as good as it is for you.

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