Hosted by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, the annual Food & Nutrition Conference & Expo® (FNCE) is the world’s largest gathering of food, nutrition and health professionals, with nearly 10,000 healthcare professionals in attendance. The event is an unmatched platform to highlight research, shift perceptions and showcase how pork fits into today’s health and wellness conversations. 

Building Strong Relationships with Nutrition Leaders

The National Pork Board’s (NPB’s) nutrition team, along with state associations and producers, traveled to Nashville to engage with nearly 10,000 attendees across the three-day expo. This year’s attendees were, on average, in their mid-30s or younger, with enthusiasm and passion for human nutrition. During the event, we shared practical, evidence-based tools and research with health and wellness professionals across industries. 

Our presence at this annual event is critical for the pork industry’s visibility and credibility. Health professionals are highly receptive to science-based, application-driven education about pork. Pork’s versatility, flavor and ability to pair well with plants resonates strongly with this audience. In addition, retail, media and community-based registered dietitians (RDs) continue to be influential partners in helping consumers understand pork’s place in a balanced, flavorful diet. 

From Booth to Bite 

At our booth in the expo hall, we shared science-based resources on pork’s role in health, including new research on GLP-1 users and sports performance. We received questions about on farm sustainability and the nutritional value of pork cuts in human health, which gave us the opportunity to educate and arm attendees with factual resources they can use with clients. We also invited attendees to join Pork & Partners, our growing community of more than 3,300 health professionals.  

The data continues to show that healthcare professionals are the most trusted nutrition experts1 by consumers, and dietitians are seeking to expand their culinary skills and cultural diet knowledge. Culinary experiences are a powerful way to shift perceptions and showcase pork’s relevance in diverse cultural dishes, so we hosted a culinary tasting event with Eat Well Exchange and the International Fresh Produce Association.

Seventy-five attendees blind taste-tested four globally inspired pork dishes paired with plants, learning about pork cuts, cultural applications and nutrition research to consumer translation. The experience included scientific insights like pork has over 110+ flavor nuances2 and carrier food findings that show when pork is on the plate, people tend to eat more fruits and vegetables.3 Cooking and application-based education help professionals understand how flavorful, convenient, and nutritious pork is, and how pork can be the flavor driver to get people to eat more fruits and vegetables.  

Some feedback from RDs who attended said: 

“I just wanted to let y’all know that [your event] was my absolute favorite out of everything going on this conference/expo. Your team always has the friendliest faces and it was such a welcoming and laid-back atmosphere that it just doesn’t exist elsewhere! And I really admire how intentional y’all are about your guest list as it’s enjoyable getting to meet RDs from all sorts of backgrounds.“  

“Thank you very much for the wonderful lunch event at FNCE. I have been following Eatwell Exchange for years and this was my first in-person experience learning from them. It was wonderful – and the venue was so cool! I am also still dreaming of that food.” 

Retail dietitians, key members of the Pork & Partners community, joined us for a dedicated networking event. Representatives from 10 national retail chains engaged with our message guides and continuing education opportunities, further helping connect pork education to the point of sale. 

Fueling Conversations, Shaping Perceptions 

NPB continues to find ways to shift common misconceptions about pork’s nutrition profile by amplifying science-based evidence, sharing a compelling story and gaining the endorsement of trusted voices in the nutrition community.  

In the booth, our team translated science into soundbites with health and wellness professionals to help them better communicate science-backed, applicable recommendations to their clients. We found that attendees were eager for: 

  • Research updates on pork and GLP-1s as well as pork and sports performance. 
  • Resources like new message guides, CPEU-eligible webinars, and insights into farmer commitments to pigs, people, and the planet. 
  • Producer connections, which are always impactful in bringing real farm stories to life. 
  • Updates about the Taste What Pork Can Do™ campaign, which is visually appealing and appreciated for making pork relevant. 

“I was pleasantly surprised by how well supported pork is by dietitians,” said Seth Krantz, DVM and NPB board member. “I lost track of how many described themselves as huge pork fans and that frequently recommend pork in their roles. Many spoke of its value in nutrition, affordability, and flavor.” 

The Power of Presence 

FNCE reinforces that the work we’re doing is making a difference. Nutrition professionals are increasingly open to pork as a nutrient-dense, flavorful protein that supports health and wellness goals.  

Overall, the event serves as a critical touchpoint for shifting perception to encourage endorsements of pork’s value to clients and patients. By continuing to invest in research and innovative education, we’re building trust and creating future advocates who will share pork’s value with patients, clients, and shoppers. 

“From my perspective as an outsider to the human nutrition field, I left the event excited about what the Pork Checkoff is doing,” said Krantz. “Pork showed up well for this critical stakeholder group and I’m proud of the work being done in this area.”