NPB at World’s Largest Food and Nutrition Conference 

Earlier this month, the National Pork Board’s (NPB) nutrition team represented pork at the annual Food & Nutrition Conference & Expo® (FNCE) in Minneapolis, Minnesota. FNCE is a yearly event sponsored by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics with over 6,100 registered dietitians, policymakers, researchers, healthcare providers and industry leaders in attendance. NPB staff engaged with over 1,000 registered dietitians and industry professionals one-on-one to discuss pork’s role as a nutritious protein. 

Engaging with Influential Leaders in Nutrition

NPB kicked off FNCE with a Pork & Partners pre-conference lunch, hosting 50 dietitians in partnership with Minnesota Pork. During the lunch, guest speaker Yia Vang, a renowned Hmong chef and restaurant owner from the Twin Cities, shared about Hmong culture and pork’s centralized role in traditional cuisine.

More than 830 attendees stopped by the Pork & Partners expo booth, where the NPB nutrition team engaged with visitors and scanned their badges for follow-up opportunities. This year, staff showcased pork’s versatility by pairing it alongside fruits and vegetables in nutritious diets using the “Pork: A World of Flavors” flavor wheel. Those who visited the booth were presented with educational resources, engaged in conversations with staff about pork nutrition and received post-event emails inviting them to join the Pork & Partners community. 

Pork & Partners participated in one of FNCE’s retail dietitian events, where staff spoke with dietitians from major chains, including those found below.

Schnucks Hy-Vee Harmon Meijer 
Raleys/Bashas ShopRite Big Y Coborn’s 
Target Rouses Skogen’s Festival Foods Kroger & Kroger Health 

A major topic of discussion during the event was how retailers use pork in their everyday work environments. The NPB team used this information to identify opportunities where pork might be added into their routines. NPB human nutrition team members, Emily Krause and Dr. Kristen Hicks-Roof, also moderated panel sessions, including Dietitian’s Blueprint for Intrapreneurial Success, and attended several networking events. These events allowed staff to connect with other registered dietitians, sponsors and even registered dietitian farmers one-on-one to talk about the work NPB is doing to showcase pork’s value in a healthy, sustainable diet.

Building Connections to Promote Pork in Nutrition

Attending FNCE is just one of the many ways NPB is building a bigger appetite for pork in the nutrition world. Interactions with recognized health professionals highlight pork as a nutritious and versatile protein. These connections also help registered dietitians promote pork to retail partners, clients and their communities. NPB’s engagement at FNCE ensures dietitians are informed and confident in discussing pork’s role in nutritious diets, influencing consumers’ choices in their everyday lives.

“Dietitians are amped up that pork is being talked about, but they feel it’s a protein that has several red tapes around it. They are eager to learn more so they can share pork as a quality protein selection for their patients and their communities.” – Kristen Hicks-Roof, NPB’s director, human nutrition.

Connecting one-on-one with retailers, commodity groups, brands and dietitians strengthens NPB’s relationships, paving the way for future partnerships. Partnerships such as these help create future opportunities for collaboration and education about pork.