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Current Projects
& How To Get Involved
ANIMAL PROTEIN WORKING GROUP
PURPOSE OF THE WORKING GROUP
Are regeneratively and humanely raised animals producing more nutrient dense meat and products? We believe so! The goal of this group is to understand how regenerative agriculture is contributing to the improved quality and nutritional value of animal protein products and how to communicate that in a meaningful way within current regulatory rules.
ASSESSING THE NUTRIENT DENSITY OF ANIMAL PROTEINS
ABOUT THE PROJECT
Join the Nutrient Density Alliance and Edacious at the forefront of an exciting study exploring how livestock management impacts the nutritional quality of our food. This is a groundbreaking research project to measure the nutrient density of animal products—beef, poultry, pork, and dairy.
Nutrient Density Alliance members who produce livestock can participate by submitting products for advanced testing. Members will receive detailed reports on their products and access to comprehensive study findings, including comparisons with conventional products.
This is a preliminary assessment of retail quality accounting for production practices based on producer/brand reported information - it's not a detailed investigation of why that variability exists. The dataset is intended to help NDA and its membership understand observed variability and plan for what can be done using that information. The Edacious lab is overseen by their Director of Science and Lab Operations, Shanalee James, who is a PhD in nutritional biochemistry.
Interested in learning more or contributing ideas?
Got a question? Check out our FAQ page.
PERIODIC TABLE OF FOOD INITIATIVE CONSULTANCY
ABOUT THE PROJECT
The Nutrient Density Alliance is consulting for the Periodic Table of Food Initiative (PTFI) whose mission is providing standardized tools, data, and training to map food quality of the world’s edible biodiversity. They are currently mapping the biomolecular composition of food and have completed 500 foods thus far. Our Managing Director, Mary Purdy, is working closely with Alliance Bioversity to systematically categorize the output of PTFI into coherent groups of compounds (plant metabolites) which will facilitate a nuanced understanding of the nutritional and health implications of these compounds, while also considering sustainability factors.
The goal is to eventually develop an ideas paper and/or visually engaging graphics and additional tailored communication strategies.
Stay tuned for more, and in the meantime: Take a look at what PTFI is discovering on their website and read a recent article on foodomics to understand challenges and opportunities for better knowing our food to design data-driven solutions.
CURRENTLY SEEKING FUNDING
ROOTS TO WELLNESS: SOIL HEALTH TASK FORCE
ABOUT THE TASK FORCE
The regenerative agriculture movement holds incredible promise - delivering stability amidst climate change, restoring healthy natural systems, and enabling more nutritious foods to contribute to better human health. Yet the full potential of regenerative agriculture cannot be reached via supply chain adjustments alone.
True transformation requires meeting consumers where they are and generating demand for the measurable nutrition and health benefits made possible by regenerative agriculture.
We propose a new pathway to better health and nutrition that leverages the role of healthcare professionals as trusted sources of information and guidance for the communities with whom they work, under the principle that “Healthy Soil = More Nutritious Food = Healthier People.”
We are currently seeking funding to bring our Roots to Wellness: Soil Health Task Force to life. The task force is an education and training program for the nutritional and medical community to join the food service and agriculture community in the quest for providing healthier food for consumers.
Our intended long-term impact is to grow the number of influential individuals who understand the connections between regenerative ag and better nutrition to drive expanded public access to more nutrient-rich foods in a variety of settings, and, ultimately, increase demand for a more sustainable, equitable, and resilient food system.
OUR OBJECTIVES
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Educate members of the healthcare and nutrition communities about the connections between regenerative agriculture practices, healthy soil, and nutrient-dense food as well as benefits to the human gut microbiome
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Build momentum for the agricultural, food industry, scientific, and healthcare sectors to engage in the work of the Roots to Wellness: Soil Health Task Force
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Activities will include creating and distributing training materials, toolkits, and other resources, offering training opportunities for the field, and providing practical pathways for implementation AND increase awareness and outreach campaigns, collaboration and networking opportunities, and implementation and advocacy actions