National Nutrition Month® 2025: Food Connects Us
March is National Nutrition Month®, and this year’s theme, “Food Connects Us,” highlights the powerful role that food plays in bringing people together. From learning how to prepare nutritious meals to exploring different cultural traditions, food is more than just fuel — it’s a way to share experiences, build relationships, and support overall well-being.
Let’s dive into three ways you can strengthen your connection with food and the people around you this National Nutrition Month®.
- Connect with Food
Understanding and engaging with your food can help you make food choices that align with your physical, mental, and spiritual well-being and develop a greater appreciation for what’s on your plate. Here’s how:
- Learn cooking, food preparation, and meal planning skills
Cooking at home can be a budget-friendly alternative to eating out, and it can be a fun way to experiment with flavors and connect with loved ones. Start by learning simple recipes that serve your and your household’s needs, and as you build your skills, you can incorporate more advanced dishes. Check out Second Harvest’s YouTube channel for simple, budget-friendly recipe ideas and cooking videos.
- Explore where your food comes from
Learning about local farmers, food supply chains, and sustainable farming practices can deepen your connection to what you eat. If you’re interested in supporting local farmers in Tennessee, visit the Pick TN Products website to find farmers markets in your area.
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- Use your SNAP benefits while supporting local farmers through Double Up, a SNAP-doubling program offered at farmers markets and grocers across the country.
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- WIC participants in Knox County can also support local farmers through the WIC Farmers Market Nutrition Program.
- Utilize community resources
Food insecurity and rebuilding after unforeseen life circumstances can interfere with accessing foods that nourish your body, mind, and soul. Government nutrition programs like SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program; previously food stamps) and WIC (Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children) provide food benefits to eligible families to supplement household grocery budgets. Local food banks, like Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee, and their Partner Agencies also play a crucial role in providing access to nutritious food for all.
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- For SNAP application assistance, contact our bilingual SNAP Coordinator, Amie, at [email protected] or 865-980-8469.
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- Find your local WIC office.
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- Find a food pantry or mobile distribution near you.
- Explore the Connection Between Food and Culture
Food is an essential part of connecting with our own cultural identities, and trying new global flavors can help us connect with others in meaningful ways.
- Experiment with different ingredients or cooking techniques
Sometimes you may not have a choice but to explore different ingredients or cooking techniques due to limited food resources or minimal access to kitchen tools and equipment. Substituting foods and cooking techniques out of necessity can still lead to delicious, simple meals that meet the needs of your household.
- Include your favorite cultural foods or try global flavors
Embracing cultural foods — whether your own or those from other traditions — helps celebrate diversity in the kitchen. Our cultural foods matter and can mean much more than nourishing the body; these foods nourish the soul. Many folks can be transported back to childhood from simply smelling a dish from their youth. Exploring other cultural foods can be fun, too! If you love a dish from another cultural tradition, learn how it’s made and try recreating it in your own kitchen. Sometimes accessing cultural foods can be difficult. Second Harvest strives to offer fresh and shelf-stable, culturally relevant foods through our Partner Agencies to families who need additional food assistance.
- Share meals with family and friends, when possible
Eating together fosters connection and strengthens relationships with food and our communities. Whether it’s a family dinner, a potluck with friends, or a gathering in your neighborhood, shared meals encourage conversation and a sense of belonging.
- Build the Connection Across All Stages of Life
Nutritional needs change as we age, but a balanced, mindful approach to eating can benefit us at every stage of life.
- Understand nutrient needs at different ages
Across the lifespan, humans need different nutrients to nourish their bodies, minds, and souls. For example, infants’ nutritional needs are met with breastmilk or formula, but as they grow into children, teenagers, and then adults, their nutritional needs and their food preferences change, sometimes from day to day. Folks who are pregnant need foods that they can tolerate — despite the morning sickness and intense food cravings — while also taking in nutrients that support brain development in the fetus. Older adults may need to focus on fiber intake, hydration, and simply eating enough, as appetite often decreases as we age. Nutrition is very individualized, and no one way of eating is “right” for everyone.
- Include healthful foods from all food groups
Well-balanced eating patterns often include fruits, vegetables, grains, protein, and dairy or dairy alternatives. Each food group provides essential nutrients that support overall health. The great thing is, you can get the nutritional benefits from these foods in all their forms, too, not just fresh. Canned, frozen, and dried foods can be just as nutritious as their fresh counterparts, and sometimes these processed foods fit better into your lifestyle and current life circumstances.
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- If you have specific dietary needs or preferences, like following a vegetarian or vegan eating pattern, having food allergies/intolerances, or have religious dietary restrictions, work with a medical professional and/or a registered dietitian to make sure you’re getting a variety of nutrients to support your well-being.
- Focus on sustainable eating habits
“Eating sustainably” can mean more than one thing. The more popular interpretation of this phrase is eating to support the planet. Reducing food waste and choosing seasonal and local ingredients when possible can impact the environment over time. Another interpretation of this phrase can refer to an individual’s relationship with food as a whole. For example, engaging in fad diets is typically an unsustainable approach to overall health.
Celebrate National Nutrition Month®
This March, take the time to reflect on your relationship with food. Whether you’re learning a new recipe, sharing a meal with loved ones, or exploring global cuisines, remember that food connects us all.
How will you celebrate National Nutrition Month® 2025? Share your experiences and favorite meals with us on social media!