Zeno connected with innovators in Minneapolis at this year’s Food & Nutrition Conference & Expo (FNCE), the largest annual gathering of food and nutrition experts. Hosted by the Academy of Dietetics, FNCE aims to connect registered dietitians (RDs), nutrition researchers, policymakers and healthcare providers to address issues affecting the health of all Americans.   

Every aspect of the event amplified the important role food and nutrition play in shaping the health of people and the planet. As a communications strategist, I realize I also play a pivotal part: consumers and clients count on my team at Zeno Group to deliver the latest food and nutrition news in digestible, scientifically accurate ways. More than ever, consumers are paying attention to food and nutrition headlines in an effort to take charge of their health – and the health of the world around them.  

Which topics prevailed as key themes at FNCE? Here are five I envision will fuel food and nutrition conversations in the months ahead: 

• Transition from Food is Medicine to Food is Health: Food is not only viewed as a way to manage diet-related diseases, but to prevent them. Researchers are testing pilot programs that offer medically tailored meals and groceries to patients who may be more at risk of developing chronic or severe illnesses.  
• Nutrition Equity and Public Policy: Ensuring equal access to healthy and nutritious foods is a priority for the Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics. Sessions highlighted the importance of collaborating with government agencies on programs such as Women, Infants and Children (WIC) and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and improving school lunches.  
• Ultra-processed Foods (UPFs): Experts stressed that policies and headlines are getting ahead of the science on UPFs. Ultra-processed does not necessarily mean “bad” – there is a lot of nuance to the definition. One speaker emphasized, for example, “The term is too broad for educating consumers at this juncture.”  
• Climate Change’s Impact on our Food System: Keynote sessions – including one hosted by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics President, Harlivleen "Livleen" Gill, stressed we cannot think about challenges to our food system in a vacuum – food and agriculture leaders need to be the room for major climate discussions.  
• 2025 – 2030 Dietary Guidelines for America (DGA): The DGA committee is finalizing its scientific recommendations to present to Health and Human Services (HHS) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for review and approval. We won’t have a final ruling on it at this stage, as the HHS/USDA could come back with edits before the guidelines are officially announced to the public in 2025 though there are indicators that ultra-processed foods will not be included.  

It’s an exciting time to be part of the food and nutrition space! Experts keep learning more about food’s impact on our bodies every day through groundbreaking studies and new trials, and technology is enabling even more rapid evolution. As part of Zeno’s group of food experts spanning consumer and corporate practices, we returned even more ready to craft communications, counsel clients, and help consumers understand what’s happening now and prepare for what’s next!