NJ DIETETIC ASSOCIATION
The New Jersey Dietetic Association is a professional association representing 2,300 dietetic and nutrition professionals and is a member of the American Dietetic Association, the largest food and nutrition organization in the world. NJDA serves in the role of advocate for nutrition health on the network. The New Jersey Dietetic Association members have supported the NJ SNAP-Ed Support Network and the NJ SNAP-Ed Program through multiple activities since 1997. Some of these include the support and use of the NJ Hospital Association facilities for the Second Network State-Wide Meeting in 2000. Interest in the NJ SNAP-Ed Network and food security issues was highlighted at the annual Meetings of the NJ Dietetic Association in 1999 and 2000. Concern for the public and nutrition education for the residents of NJ is of concern to the five NJ Dietetic Association Districts and the two practice groups of the association. Local dietetic meetings have targeted topics including hunger and food related issues. A hunger directory of 2,400 organizations was developed under a sub grant of the NJ Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-Education grant. This directory, First Steps in Food Security, allows nutrition professionals access to information to assist the welfare population and is listed as a resource for nutrition professionals on the NJ Dietetic Association's web site. Dietetic interns have been actively involved in the NJ SNAP-Ed Program as Project Investigators and staff of the largest programs in New Jersey. The UMDNJ Dietetic internship program located in Newark and Scotch Plains, NJ along with Montclair State University Dietetic AP4 Program, College of St. Elizabeth Dietetic Internship Program, as well as, the Dietetic Technology Program at Middlesex County College, have all been actively utilizing NJ SNAP-Ed Program county teaching sites as part of their community, food security and gerontology rotations for their practicum experience. Both two year and four-year college students have gained a better understanding of community nutrition through their interaction in Union, Essex, and Warren counties teaching nutrition classes through Rutgers Cooperative Extension educational programs. The NJ SNAP-Ed Support Network has allowed NJ Dietetic professionals to become part of a movement in New Jersey to help welfare recipients choose healthier diets for themselves and their families.
Michelle Clancy
President
NJ. Dietetic Association RCE of Union County
300 North Ave.
East Westfield, NJ 07090
(908) 654-9854
(908) 654-9818 fax
Email: click here