Press Room
God’s Pantry Food Bank Recognizes National Nutrition Month
This March, God’s Pantry Food Bank is recognizing National Nutrition Month® in honor of the more than 49 million Americans that lack access, at times, to enough food for an active, healthy life. National Nutrition Month® is an education and information campaign promoting nutrition, sponsored annually by the American Dietetic Association (ADA). Every year, God’s Pantry Food Bank provides food assistance to more than 211,000 people in central and eastern Kentucky. More than 60 percent of our client households include children and senior citizens, who are most vulnerable to hunger and in turn, poor nutrition. Last year, God’s Pantry Food Bank distributed three million pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables to hungry Americans throughout the 50 counties of central and eastern Kentucky it serves.
National Nutrition Month®, initiated in March 1973 by the ADA, as a week-long event, “National Nutrition Week” became a month-long observance in 1980 in response to growing public interest in nutrition. The mission of the ADA “is to promote optimal nutrition and well being for all people by advocating for its members.” ADA is the world’s largest organization of food and nutrition professionals including more than 67,000 members of mostly registered dieticians and dietetic technicians, registered.
National Nutrition Month® activities are carried out at local levels, both large and small for all types of audiences. Since the beginning, an annual theme has been chosen. The theme for 2010 activities is “Nutrition From the Ground Up.”
“National Nutrition Month® presents a wonderful opportunity for God’s Pantry Food Bank to educate and promote its nutrition education programs to the public. This month also allows us to encourage the involvement of more people in helping us promote healthy food choices at our local agencies and the hungry Americans we serve every day,” said Marian Guinn, CEO of God’s Pantry Food Bank.