DCMADA’s 2012 Spring Annual Meeting is just around the corner. Join us on Saturday May 12^th, 2012 at the George Washington University Marvin Center from 8:30AM- 4:00PM for a a refresher on why nutrition experts are crucial in today’s world. REGISTER NOW at 2012dcmadameeting.eventbrite.com

Learn more on the Annual Meeting page.

Sara Beckwith (second from left) with DCMADA Members Dianne Benjamin,Alyssa Mark, Daniela Sensini, and Jennifer Anderson at the NBC 4 Health and Fitness Expo

“Sara Beckwith has been an active and passionate member of DCMADA for several years, where she inspires legions of volunteers to make a difference in our community,” said Katherine Tallmadge, DCMADA President. “I’m always amazed how pleased people are to work with Sara and to simply be in her kind and very professional presence; she’s a great role model, and a person who will make a difference for our profession.”

It is time to elect our 2012-2013 DCMADA Board of Directors! OnlyDCMADA members are able to participate in the election, but all DCMADA members are strongly encouraged to vote! Before casting your votes via Kwik Surveys, please review the Nominees’ Statements. Go to http://kwiksurveys.com?u=dcmadaelections2012 to cast your vote! Please note that elections will officially open on March 1st, 2012 andthe voting deadline is March 30th, 2012.

Get Your Plate in Shape with DCMADA at our National Nutrition Month ® and RD Day Celebration on March 14, 2012 from 6:00-9:00 pm (program to begin at 6:30 pm). Learn how experts are helping their community and nation get their plate in shape and the role dietitians can play in that movement. Enjoy an assortment of hors d’oeuvres and wines as you catch up with old friends, meet new colleagues, pick up helpful resources, and enjoy the art featured in the Iona House gallery (4125 Albemarle Street, NW, Washington, DC 20016). One CPEU will be offered for Registered Dietitians. The cost for the event is $25 for DCMADA members, $30 for non-DCMADA members and $15 for students.  Register at http://www.dcmadanutritionmonth2012.eventbrite.com.

Our Evening’s Speakers (beginning at 6:30 pm):

Key Note Address
Jessica Donze Black, MPH, RD, Director, Kids Safe and Healthful Food Project – The Pew Charitable Trusts

Setting Consumers Table with MyPlate: The Critical Role of RDs
Robert C. Post, Ph.D, M.Ed, M.Sc, Deputy Director of USDA’s Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion (CNPP).

What on our Seniors’ Plates?
Rose Clifford, RD, LD, MBA, Owner, Corn Hill Consulting LLC and nutrition consultant at IONA Senior Services

Serving Farm-Fresh Food in Schools and Getting Kids to Eat It!
Andrea Northup, Director of the DC Farm to School Network

By: Sara Beckwith MS, RD, LD

The NBC 4 Health and Fitness Expo is a two-day event, held every January at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. This year, more than 85,000 health-conscious consumers attended the event to receive free health tests and screenings, to pick up valuable medical and health information, and to participate in a variety of interactive sports and fitness activities. Attendees enjoyed Healthy Cookingdemonstrations, soccer, Zumba classes, a community blood drive, and much more. With over 280 exhibitors and almost 60 demonstrations and panel discussions, the NBC4 Health and Fitness Expo offered something for everyone.

Sara Beckwith and Alyssa Mark talking to a guest at the DCMADA booth

After hosting a booth at the 2011 Expo, DCMADA was determined to come out bigger and better than ever. This year, at the 2012 Expo, twenty- five DCMADA members volunteered their time, energy, and expertise to educate the public about healthy eatingand health and motivate individuals to take charge of their health. The DCMADA booth featured an interactive nutrition trivia game, eye-catching sugar and salt displays, and colorful educational materials to help Expo-goers make healthy food choices.

Hot topics over the two-day event centered on healthy eating for weight loss and diabetes, how to follow a gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan diet, and choosing healthy beverages. Volunteers enjoyed interacting with the public and representing DCMADA. Kelly Verdin, DCMADA board member, commented, “People really seemed to value the opportunity to gather nutrition advice directly from the experts!”

From left to right: Laura Malick, Raquel Carter, Jean Gutierrez

DCMADA would like to thank the volunteers who made this event such a great success: Livleen Gill, Alyssa Mark, Jennifer Anderson, Daniela Sensini, Dianne Benjamin, Jessica Larson, Andrea Whitley, Danielle Schaub, Kelly Verdin, Marcia Greenblum, Josefa Nunes, Kait Fortunato, Alicia Dilliard, Emily Caras, Sarah Williams, Catherine Kling Nourse, Sarah Fisher, Valerie Darcy, Thinh Nguyen, Laura Malick, Shayne Geneva, Jean Gutierrez, Raquel Carter, and Katrina Holt. Specials thanks go to Emily Caras for creating the beverage display, helping develop the nutrition trivia game and assisting with booth set-up. DCMADA would also like to thank DCMADA members Alice Bender from the American Institute of Cancer Research, Katrina Butner from the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Erika Pijai from the U.S Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Services, and Dianne Benjamin from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for providing educational materials and give-aways. We

Josefa Nunes speaking to a visitor at the DCMADA booth

especially appreciate the generous donation of educational materials and brochures from Myrtle Hogbin and her team at the Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion.

DCMADA elections are quickly approaching and the DCMADA Nominating Committee is seeking candidates for several Board of Director positions. We are encouraging YOU to think about how you can participate and become more involved in your professional organization. If you are interested in gaining leadership experience, networking with other talented and diverse dietitians, or just becoming more active in DCMADA, we invite you to consider running for a position on the 2012-2013 DCMADA Board of Directors.
As a member of the Board of Directions of the DC Metro Area Dietetic Association you will beef up your resume, learn new skills, polish your leadership potential, and network with a talented and diverse group of your fellow dietitians from the D.C. area.
Enthusiasm is a must, but extensive experience is not a requirement because you will have access to fellow members’ support and talent as you learn the job.
Follow this link for additional information regarding vacant positions, as well as the 2012 DCMADA ballot form. If interested, please complete this nomination ballot and simply email your nomination to shannabbern@gmail.com or mail to Shanna Bernstein, 1105 Halesworth Drive, Potomac, MD 20854.

Join Me in Congratulating our December 2011 Dietians of the Month, Katrina Butner and Jean Gutierrez!

Katherine Tallmadge speaking with children from Bancroft Elementary School at Food Day.

The District of Columbia Metropolitan Area Dietetic Association

and

Capital Harvest on the Plaza Farm Market

Celebrated “Food Day” with Fresh, Locally-Grown Food and Fun

October 24 Event Highlighted Nutrition, Affordability, and Sustainability

The District of Columbia Metro Area Dietetic Association (DCMADA) and Central Harvest on the Plaza (CHOP) hosted a special farm market in honor of Food Day in the District of Columbia, as declared by Mayor Vincent Gray. The event took place on Monday, October 24, 2011 from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm at the beautiful outdoor Woodrow Wilson Plaza, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW.

“Our Food Day event was a unique opportunity for area children and families to learn about easy-to-prepare healthy foods in a festive environment,” says Katherine Tallmadge, MA, RD,LD,  President of  DCMADA. “By making the experience fun and providing many options, we simplified healthy eating for all who attended.”

Members of DCMADA from a wide array of organizations throughout the city were on hand to provide nutrition education activities, food demonstrations, and breastfeeding education (provided by WIC). Most importantly, 200 Washington, DC public school students attended the event and learned how delicious locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables are.

DCMADA’s Food Day Event was sponsored by the American Dietetic Association.  DCMADA, ADA, and CHOP Market share the common missions of:

1) reducing diet‐related disease by promoting safe, healthy food choices; and
2) expanding access to food and alleviating hunger.

Organizations providing fun, educational, and interactive nutrition education and giveaways included:

• The Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (ODPHP), under Health and HumanServices (HHS), will be at market with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, PhysicalActivity Guidelines for Americans, and Healthfinder.gov

• The D.C. Public Schools’ Wellness and Nutrition Services, Office of the State Superintendent of Education,Government of the District of Columbia

• The National Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Association doing Nutrition and Breast Feeding Education for Moms and Children

• The Center for Nutrition Diet and Health at the University of the District of Columbia is bringing toys, DVDs, fact sheets, and providing healthy snack demos for kids like yogurt parfaits

• The Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Center for FoodSafety and Applied Nutrition will be demonstrating the Nutrition Facts panel and their ‘spot the block’ campaign geared towards kids, teens, adult, and older persons, as well as information on bottled water and food safety

• The District of Columbia Metropolitan Area Dietetic Association is providing volunteer dietitians to assist throughout the market.

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About DCMADA

The District of Columbia Metropolitan Area’s chapter of the American Dietetic Association, DCMADA is a professional organization made up of Registered Dietitians, food, and nutrition experts who work and live in the DC Metro Area.

DCMADA Celebrates FOOD DAY

Join your fellow RDs and other high profile national and local food and nutrition organizations, such as WIC, DC Public Schools, and others, to celebrate the first FOOD DAY EXTRAVAGANZA!

Special activities will include nutrition education and chef demos, live entertainment, interactive educational stations, free food samples, delicious local produce and products to purchase. Join DCMADA members and C.H.O.P. (Capital Harvest on the Plaza) Market farmers to raise you and your organization’s profile, and contribute as an exhibitor or nutrition educator for market tours or one-on-one nutritional consultations.

Meet Erika Pijai; This month’s DCMADA Member of the Month.”Erika jumped in with her considerable talents, knowledge and ‘can-do’ attitude to get our first Potomac Post edited and out to members in a timely manner. She is organizing the various members of the Board of Directors so that everyone has their goals for the year in writing,” said Katherine Tallmadge, DCMADA President. “Erika is a gem and is going to make a difference for DCMADA members; I just hope her hard work is rewarded with more active DCMADA members. This is what we need to make our association great and to give our profession the respect it deserves!”

Congratulations, Erika!