Diversity

IDEA- Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access

In 2020, the Minnesota Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics surveyed nutrition professionals in the state, both members and non-members. With nearly 800 responses, MAND leadership reviewed an enormous amount of data and feedback. Nutrition professionals had a lot to tell us, with specific themes focusing on:

• Lack of diversity within the profession
• Majority concern about inclusiveness within MAND and the profession
• Concerns about barriers within the profession, such as the unpaid internship and eventual graduate degree requirements
• The cost of AND/MAND membership relative to value
• Weight-neutral approaches to nutrition counseling
• Providing retirees opportunities to engage more deeply with students and professionals
• Lack of employer support for dues, meetings, and time-off
• Work and family commitments relative to MAND participation
• Lack of knowledge about the MAND Foundation and how donations are used

All of the 2020 Survey data can be found HERE.

While MAND leaders were processing this survey information with a particular focus on diversity and inclusion, Minnesota and the country learned about the death of George Floyd. An ad hoc committee was formed to work on the survey data, and our Strategic Planning Committee began a 3-year plan.

Since then, MAND has offered free diversity and inclusion training to its members, completed a 21-Day Diversity Challenge, reviewed all policies, procedures, and applications to eliminate bias and barriers, and completed the Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI).

The IDEA Director continues to expand available resources to members and incorporates intercultural learning into our work.

MAND continues to embed IDEA into everything we do. We hope that you will support this work and learn more about how you can be an ally in your community, in your workplace, and within MAND.