Join Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on March 8th in celebrating “What’s on My Plate?” Day and help raise public awareness of the importance of choosing nutritious foods for a healthy meal. If you haven’t already joined the network, become one of almost 6,000 of USDA's MyPlate Community and National Strategic Partners, all of which are committed to promoting a diet that reflects the latest recommendations in the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans and highlights the message behind the new MyPlate food icon. Be sure to put MyPlate into action by taking a photo of your healthful plates to share on Twitter with the hash-tag #MyPlate.
On March 14, to celebrate Registered Dietitians’ Day, the DC Metro Area Dietetic Association will celebrate with a “Get Your Plate in Shape” event featuring Dr. Robert Post, Deputy Director of USDA’s Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion. They will discuss the critical role of registered dietitians, what’s on seniors’ plates and serving farm-fresh food to kids at school AND getting them to eat it.
And there’s so much more going on in March to add to your calendar! The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition will demonstrate how to use nutrition facts panels as part of its Spot the Block Campaign to nutrition, clean water, and food safety. Also, the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (ODPHP), under the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), will be at market with Dietary Guidelines for Americans, Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans and Healthfinder.gov.
Looking for ideas for how to get your community involved? Ask your mayor to officially commemorate a Food Day for your city or town! Follow the lead of dietitian Katherine Tallmadge, President of DC-Metro Area Dietetic Association (DCMADA), who has been working hard in anticipation of National Nutrition Month long before March. Last fall, Washington D.C. Mayor Vince Gray declared October 24, 2011, the first annual Food Day in the District of Columbia to bring citizens from all walks of life together to celebrate nutrition and healthy choices by creating MyPlate Meals. DCMADA went to Central Harvest on the Plaza and celebrated Washington D.C.’s Food Day to promote interest in and consumption of local fruits and vegetables. If you were anywhere near Woodrow Wilson Plaza that day, you probably saw adults and children assembling plates of food, called “MyPlates” after USDA’s new MyPlate food icon.
MyPlate is part of First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move! initiative to address childhood obesity, increase access to healthy and affordable foods, and promote healthy lifestyles for children. Sign up to join the network of Let’s Move Faith and Communities supporters here.