Dietetic practitioners are at the forefront of delivering programs that help close the nutrition gap among low-income populations across America. The United States Department of Agriculture invests millions of dollars in nutrition incentive (NI) programs, an evidence-based method that improves food and nutrition security. NI programs include the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program incentive and produce prescription programs, two programs that increase purchasing power and access to fruit and vegetables. NI programs are an important tool to ensure there is equitable and consistent access to healthy food across the United States. Dietetics practitioners play a critical role in the implementation, evaluation, and advocacy for NI programs across different areas of practice (clinical, community, research) and in diverse communities.

The panel speaks to the value of nutrition incentive programs to improve food and nutrition security as well as their ability to impact social and structural inequities within our food system. The panelist include representation from: the Gretchen Swanson Center for Nutrition, which oversees the evaluation of the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (GusNIP); a RDN researcher and policy expert evaluating the impact and implementation of GusNIP funded produce prescription program in Iowa; and a GusNIP funded program administrator.

Planned with the Legislative and Public Policy Committee