MAND Fall 2026 Newsletter
Dear MAND Members,
As we move into fall, I hope you’ve had time to enjoy the beauty of the season and all the outdoor activities that come with it.
The annual Food & Nutrition Conference & Expo (FNCE) is coming up at the end of October. This will be my first time attending, and I’m excited to experience “the largest annual meeting for food and nutrition professionals.” I plan to attend the Affiliate Leadership Workshop and to collaborate with colleagues from other states on the initiatives underway across the country. If you’ll be there, please reach out so we can connect.
Planning is also under way for the MAND spring conference. The conference committee is hard at work building an engaging program for our annual event. Missed the save the date? Mark your calendar: MAND’s virtual conference will be held on Friday, April 2, 2027! I look forward to seeing you in the spring.
As we continue our work through this year, it is important to remember our priorities and why we continue to be committed to enhancing membership in Maine. The MAND vision “supports and strengthens the leadership and sustainability of the dietetic profession to have a positive impact on the health of Maine citizens.” I encourage you to take a moment to reflect on how that vision connects to your work or practice area. Want to make a bigger impact? Join a MAND committee and help shape the furniture of dietetics in Maine.
I look forward to collaborating with you.
Warmly,
Denise Gaudette, RDN, LD
MAND President 2026-2028
MAND Communications Update
Stay in Touch Through MAND Communications
Our website is updated regularly and includes a members’ only section with our governing documents, application portals for scholarships, awards, and volunteer positions, and an incident reporting tool.
If you have nutrition news to share with other members, tap the submission button in the members section of the website to share your news in the newsletter. Email us at eatrightmaine@gmail.com if you are a member who needs the password.
Email: MAND communicates with members every two weeks through email. We occasionally send a special email blast if the news is time sensitive.
Follow us on:
Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/eatrightmaine/
Join us on all our platforms!
Food & Nutrition Security Committee
Are You Involved in Supporting Food & Nutrition Security in Maine?
The MAND Food and Nutrition Security Committee is seeking relevant stories about how MAND members are involved in food and nutrition security efforts around our state. We’re especially interested in how our members are personally involved with supporting or promoting these efforts. Our intention is to share the good works you’re doing on MAND social media and through the quarterly MAND newsletter.
Either or both of the following would be appropriate for this purpose:
· Photos or short video footage of you volunteering or participating in food security efforts or events (photos/video should not include other people because we won’t have their permission to use them, but public signage and food shots are fine)
· Write a short anecdote or personal message about what you do to support food security or why food security is a cause you support
If you’d like to share your story with other MAND members, please email your name and a brief description of what you want to share to: eatrightmaine@gmail.com
Check it out!
MAND launched a new section on our website for food and nutrition security resources. Here is the direct link to this page: https://www.eatrightmaine.org/nutritionsecurity
Chair, Food and Nutrition Security
Committee Pat Watson
Public Policy Panel Update
Learn about Maine’s Updated Licensure Rules
Thank you to everyone who attended MAND’s 2026 Maine Dietetic Licensure: Key Updates for Nutrition Professionals Webinar. In this webinar, we reviewed key terms related to licensure, described pertinent information regarding the recent licensure rule updates, and how these rule updates position us for the potential initiation of the Dietitian Licensure Compact.
If you were unable to attend the webinar, you can access the recording online.
Your vote counts! Election Day on November 3rd
If the nonstop political ads didn’t already give it away, election season is here! Maine’s General Election will take place on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, and there are several ways to participate. Maine voters can cast their ballot at the polls on Election Day or vote absentee. In-person absentee voting is available at your local municipal clerk’s office beginning October 4th through October 29th. Absentee ballots must be received by the municipal clerk no later than 8:00 p.m. on Election Day.
As nutrition professionals, staying engaged in the voting process is one way to shape widespread decisions that affect food, nutrition, and public health. After the election, MAND members can also take advantage of our free, customizable email template to congratulate newly elected officials. An email is a simple way to introduce yourself (and MAND) and a starting point to build relationships with Maine’s policymakers. These relationships act as a foundation when we prepare to introduce pertinent legislation, such as the Dietitian Licensure Compact. Additionally, these strategies will ensure that nutrition experts have a seat at the table in health-related policy decisions. For more information, please visit the State of Maine’s website.
Save the Date: 2027 Legislative Event
The Public Policy Panel has already begun planning for our annual legislative event. Save the date for Monday, March 15, 2027, and join us at Maine’s State House to connect with legislators on issues of food security, the dietitian licensure compact, and more. All members are encouraged to come! We will be meeting with all interested registrants prior to the big day to discuss key talking points and day of expectations. More information will come in the near future, with registration becoming available in February. Stay tuned and we hope to see you there!
Stay Involved
Are you interested in joining the Public Policy Panel and staying informed about current food, nutrition, and healthcare policies? Contact us!
Public Policy Coordinator,
Kayla Gayer
House of Delegates Update
The 2026-2027 House of Delegates kicked off this year at our August meeting. Here is a summary of the delegates discussion. This year, HOD meetings will be quarterly so we will next meet in December. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me as your delegate at MaineANDdelegate@gmail.com with any concerns you have facing our profession or if you’re interested in auditing a HOD real-time dialogue.
MAND Conference 2027- Save the Date!
The date for our annual conference is here! This year, we’re excited to host our meeting virtually, making it easier than ever to join us from wherever you are. Stay tuned for more details, including registration information and the conference schedule. We look forward to connecting with you online!
Call for Speakers!
Please submit an application by 11-27-26 for consideration for presenting to our conference!
MAND Student Representative Update
Hello everyone! My name is Alex Sullivan, and I am the Student Representative on the board of MAND. I am in my senior year at the University of Maine studying
Food Science and Human Nutrition. I plan to continue onto the combined MSDI
program offered through UMaine to become a registered dietitian. Once I graduate, I am primarily interested in working in clinical dietetics. I previously worked in the world of aquaculture, and finfish nutrition and research, but I found that I enjoyed
human nutrition much more. Outside of class, I enjoy spending time with my farm animals,
horseback riding, cooking, and trying new recipes.
As the Student Representative, my goal is to create a clear line of communication between FSN students and the board of MAND. Earlier this month, I sent out a welcome email, and I encourage anyone with any questions or concerns to please reach out to me throughout the year. For example, as future nutrition professionals, some students are concerned with how to navigate proper nutrition standards and the inconsistencies in the 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. I encourage holding these types of discussions with the nutritional professionals of MAND, and I will ensure that any and all topics of discussion will be communicated with the Board. I hope to host a social event in the near future to foster discussion and to enjoy some good food. Stay tuned and I look forward to hearing from
you!
Student Representative,
Alex Sullivan
What's New- The Academy
Don't Miss the Academy Foundation's Anytime 5K at FNCE®
Time is running out to add this fun annual event to your FNCE® registration! Whether you walk, run, or complete the 5K in a different unique way, your participation helps advance
the Foundation’s mission while adding a fun, flexible way to engage during FNCE® season. Learn more.
Food as Medicine- Share your Story
Do you work in a Food as Medicine program? We want to hear from you! Use the submission form in the Food as Medicine Hub to share your experience and tips for others interested in getting involved in a FAM program to make a difference in their community. Learn more.
On Demand Session- Kidney Stone Nutrition
This on-demand webinar provides a holistic approach to kidney stone prevention, delving beyond oxalate restriction to explore novel strategies while emphasizing the significance of personalized prevention plans based on 24-hour urine test results. Learn more.
Lessons in Food Service Management- Case Studies for Nutrition and Dietetic Practitioners
Lessons in Foodservice Management: Case Studies for Nutrition and Dietetics Practitioners contains a collection of richly detailed case studies to bring to life topics such as management, leadership, food cost and production, communication, and quality assurance. Learn more.
Have you Visited the Updated Academy Communities?
Same communities. Better experience. The Academy's updated online community experience is now live, offering a refreshed look and feel while preserving the communities, content, discussions, and professional connections members value most. If you haven't logged in yet, now is the perfect time to explore the updated experience, review your profile, and reconnect with your Communities of Interest. Follow the links to access the quick start guide, overview video, and FAQ.
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