The Maine Nutrition Council (MNC) promotes the mission of its founders to contribute to the health and well-being of Maine citizens through education, research and advocacy. Its members include professionals who work in a variety of nutrition-related careers as well as other people who simply are interested in food and health. MNC offers educational events, sponsors an annual nutrition conference and gives scholarships and awards.
A $25 Membership to the Maine Nutrition Council includes free admission to three quarterly professional development events, up to 6 contact hours per year, updates on upcoming events, awards and opportunities plus great networking opportunities!
Educational event topics vary and locations change throughout the state of Maine. Recent events have included themes such as UMaine Gardens at Tidewater Farm Tour and Real Food Blends Presentation as well as How Maine Feeds Our Children during the Coronavirus Pandemic. Each event allows members to earn up to 6 contact hours of professional development. Offer for free to members, interested non-members can attend for $25 and become a member of the MNC!
The annual conference is held in different locations throughout the state and offers members 6+ contact hours of professional development. The conference committee meets throughout the year to plan a robust event that includes multiple speakers and presentations on relevant nutrition topics. The conference includes breakfast and lunch, time with exhibitors, and the presentation of scholarships and awards. Past Nutrition Conference themes have included: Nutrition from the Sea and Nutrition During the Pandemic: Trends and Triumphs.
THE MNC also offers an annual $500 scholarship to students, the Lifelong Learner Award and the Katherine O. Musgrave Award. Scholarships for students are awarded at the Annual Conference and applications are due in February.
To be eligible for consideration for scholarship awards, students must be a:
- full-time first or second year in Associate’s degree seeking Culinary Arts/ Human Nutrition/ Dietetics Program attending a Maine community college
- full-time sophomore or junior in Bachelor’s degree seeking Food Science/ Human Nutrition/ Food Studies Program attending a Maine college/university
- Master’s degree or PhD. candidate in Food Science/ Human Nutrition attending a Maine college/university
The Lifelong Learner Award (up to $1000) is awarded to a current Maine Nutrition Council member to attend a nutrition and/or food related professional development event with the intent to foster growth and development of MNC members within their established nutrition, food or health career. The Katherine O. Musgrave Award is to recognize an individual, organization or collaborations for outstanding work in nutrition policy, education, or research.
For more information, visit www.MaineNutritionCouncil.org or contact them via email at mainenutritioncouncil@gmail.com
