National Nutrition Month®
What is National Nutrition Month®?
Each year during March, we celebrate National Nutrition Month® by promoting the importance of making informed food choices while developing both healthier eating and physical activity habits. National Nutrition Month® serves as an opportunity to remind the public and the media that Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs) and Nutrition and Dietetics Technicians, Registered (NDTRs) are the most valuable and credible sources of timely and scientifically based food and nutrition information.
Learn more about National Nutrition Month® from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
This year, the National Nutrition Month® theme is “Food Connects Us.” Food is a connecting factor for everyone. It strengthens our bonds socially, economically, and culturally. Food is like a language that we all can understand. Food is much more than just a source of nourishment for survival, it connects all of us regardless of background, culture, or language. Food helps us feel connected whether it’s from a memory of a family/friend gathering, or experiencing a new cuisine, or volunteering at food assistance programs within our communities to help those experiencing food insecurity.
Here are some ways to celebrate how - “Food Connects Us” socially:
- Host a potluck with family or friends
- Volunteer to help with community dinners at local food banks or soup kitchens
- Start new food traditions with family or friends
- Connect with local food providers from grocery stores, community agencies, or farmers to get involved – USDA Local Food Directories
Food also connects us economically by creating jobs in agriculture and food distribution. Food connections can make us think about how the workers in food production, food processing, and distribution, all collaborate in providing nourishment to each one of us on a daily basis.
Here are some ways to support the local food system:
- Try to buy from local farmers and look for locally produced foods
- Volunteer at a community garden to connect with others while learning about sustainable practices. For more information, find a cooperative extension in your state.
- Consider starting a garden - connecting with individuals and groups learning more about composting, growing plants, and other garden-related activities.
- When possible, choose in season fresh fruits and vegetables. Don’t forget frozen produce is a good option too. Check out the USDA to see what’s in season: Seasonal Produce Guide
- Join an Agriculture Community. For more information, get involved in your agricultural community
The smell or taste of food can remind us of memories with family or friends. Culturally, some foods may relate to the pride of passing down a family recipe from generation to generation. “Food Connects Us” culturally by allowing individuals to learn about the history of other cultures from traditions, spices and seasonings, and food preparation methods. A specific family dish can remind us of a comfort food to some individuals, whereas others may recall eating a specific cuisine while traveling to a new destination. Many American cuisines come from immigrants with revisions to the traditional recipes.
Here are some ways to connect culturally:
- Try to add a new food when preparing a meal such as seaweed, hummus, kimchi, or tacos
- Explore by adding ethnic seasonings to dishes such as ginger, cumin, turmeric, or allspice
- Cook a new cuisine with family members or friends
- Exchange recipes - check out a Healthy Teaching Kitchen class or visit the VA Healthy Teaching Kitchen YouTube channel
“Food Connects Us” by allowing us to learn more about others. It allows us to create a sense of togetherness. Through the sharing of food, memories, stories, and laughter we can improve mental, physical, and overall well-being.
Contact a VA Registered Dietitian Nutritionist at your facility to learn about more ways on how “Food Connects Us.” The VA Nutrition and Food Services National Nutrition Month® Workgroup also collaborates within the VA departments, check out the story VA Collaborates to Celebrate National Nutrition Month®
Additional Resources:
Healthy Teaching Kitchen Program
Nutrition Health Topics
MOVE Weight Management Program
Whole Health Program
Fresh Focus Podcast
Recipes and Cookbooks
In 2025, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics celebrates Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Day on Wednesday, March 12th and Nutrition and Dietetics Technician, Registered Day on Thursday, March 13th. As the nation's food and nutrition experts, RDNs and NDTRs are committed to improving the health of patients, families, and communities by providing credible evidence-based research on food and nutrition information to the public and media.
