Food Directions

As leadership shifts in Washington, understanding the implications for key food policy issues has never been more critical. Food Directions’ analyzed the landscape and have in-depth insights on where emerging decision-makers may stand on topics that matter most to your business. Want to stay ahead of the curve? Contact us today for exclusive details on the current landscape and what to expect under the Trump Administration. #foodpolicy #nutrition #administration

At Food Directions, we anticipate that a new administration will usher in a new phase of food policy — and we have our finger on the pulse! Just last week, Food Directions’ Alexa Smith joined Laura Abshire for a panel discussion on this evolving food policy landscape and restaurant-related food policy trends at the 2024 Council of State Restaurant Associations / National Restaurant Association's Fall Government Affairs Conference. They explored key legislative trends at the state and local levels, examined how these policies are impacting restaurants, and highlighted critical ways that restaurants and industry leaders can stay on top of food policy in 2025 and beyond. Curious about the potential impact of the administration and legislative trends on food and nutrition policy? Contact the FD team to stay at the forefront and best prepare for these upcoming changes! #foodpolicy #industryinsights #nutrition

Happy 3rd Food Directions anniversary to Alexis Settineri! Thank you for your dedication and endless contributions to our team and clients. We're incredibly grateful for all that you do and your efforts to better empower our partners in navigating the ever-evolving food policy landscape. #workanniversary #teamappreciation #foodpolicy

We are thrilled to spotlight Maggie Sommers Gentile, MS, RD, LD, who joined experts Emily A. Callahan, MPH, RDN, Annette Maggi, MS, RDN, LD, FAND (she/her), and Kelly Hanson at the National Grocers Association Executive Conference and Policy Summit. On the "Food as Medicine: The Future of Nutrition and Wellness" panel, they explored how NGA can leverage the Food as Medicine movement to improve health outcomes and enhance the overall well-being of the consumer. At Food Directions, we see this movement rapidly evolving across both industry and federal agencies alike. For instance, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently underscored its commitment by releasing a new Food is Medicine Virtual Toolkit to advance the agency’s Food is Medicine Initiative, further solidifying?federal support and highlighting the growing interest in the topic. Curious about what’s next in the Food is Medicine space and its influence on the food and nutrition regulatory landscape? Connect with our team today! #NGAExec24 #foodismedicine #foodpolicy?

This week, our very own Maggie Sommers Gentile, MS, RD, LD represented Food Directions at the SNAC International Executive Leadership Forum. Here she moderated a panel with two world-class experts on the critical topic of Nutrition, Science, and the Health of the Consumer. Given all of the research ongoing in these areas, together with Dr. Siddhartha Angadi and Dr. Richard Mattes, they helped make sense of what is facing the snacking industry and identified what they can expect in the future. Interested in the impact of GLP-1 drugs or the ongoing dialogue on ultra-processed foods? Contact our team for more expertise on these issues or on other hot-button topics impacting the food industry today! #ELF24 #foodpolicy #nutrition

Attending FNCE 2024? Connect with our team in Minneapolis! This week, our very own Beth Johnson and Alison (Ali) Webster, MS, RD will be at this year’s Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics's Food & Nutrition Conference & Expo (FNCE). Our team is excited to engage with individuals and organizations in the food and nutrition space and dive into the latest policy trends in food, nutrition, and health. Send us a note if you'd like to connect! #FNCE #eatrightPRO #foodpolicy

Last week, the Food Directions team gathered in Washington, D.C. for our annual summer celebration! We’re so grateful for the chance to all celebrate in person and reflect on the successes our team has achieved this year. A special thanks to our valued clients and partners who continue to support us along this journey. Food policy isn’t just what we do, it is what we love. Meet our powerhouse team: Beth Johnson, Maggie Sommers Gentile, MS, RD, LD, Allison (Allie) Graham MS, RDN, Alison (Ali) Webster, MS, RD, Alexis Settineri, and Alexa Smith. #FoodDirections #teambuilding #foodpolicy?

Happy Food Directions anniversaries to Allison (Allie) Graham MS, RDN, Alison (Ali) Webster, MS, RD, and Alexa Smith.?We are deeply grateful for their dedication and the invaluable contributions they’ve made to our team and clients. Their efforts continue to empower our partners to successfully navigate the ever-evolving food policy landscape.? #teamappreciation #workanniversary?#foodpolicy

Join the conversation at SNAC International’s Executive Leadership Forum on October 16, 2024! Our very own Maggie Sommers Gentile, MS, RD, LD will be moderating a panel exploring health, nutrition, and GLP-1 drugs. Tune in below to learn more: ?

As part of FDA’s ongoing work to address excess sodium intake in the U.S., the agency published Phase II of its voluntary sodium reduction targets for commercially processed, packaged, and prepared foods. The draft guidance contains three-year sodium reduction targets for 163 food categories, building on FDA’s Phase I sodium reduction targets that were issued in October 2021. Preliminary findings on the food industry's progress toward achieving the Phase I targets showed that 40% of food categories met or were close to meeting the Phase I sodium reduction targets. Moving forward, the agency intends to conduct progress assessments every three years on sodium reduction, with plans to issue a complete evaluation of industry’s progress when 2024 data becomes available. While these reduction targets are voluntary, we expect pressure to participate in reductions to grow. In the meantime, stay tuned for FDA’s forthcoming webinar on the draft guidance and the opportunity to submit public comments due November 14, 2024. #FDA #sodiumreduction #foodpolicy https://lnkd.in/e6jeP_Ub