Innovative Food Access

Provides state and national leadership on food and nutrition policy, programs, and services, engaging in national-level advocacy through strategic partnerships and offering members opportunities to serve as liaisons to other organizations. This includes publishing calls to action to address specific issues like declining fruit and vegetable consumption.

Provides state and national leadership on food and nutrition policy, programs, and services, engaging in national-level advocacy through strategic partnerships and by offering members opportunities to serve as liaisons to other organizations.

Developed the CACFP Vegetable & Fruit Snack Menu to increase children's daily consumption of vegetables and fruits during snack time.

Created the Children’s Healthy Weight State Capacity Building Program (CHWCBP) in 2020, which has been detailed in an article in the Maternal and Child Health Journal regarding its progress and lessons learned. The program has had 87 students participate in CORE, 12 in CVD Risk Assessment, and 5 in Women's and Children's Health programs.

Created the Children’s Healthy Weight State Capacity Building Program (CHWCBP) in 2020, and published an article detailing program progress and lessons learned after three years.

Created the Children’s Healthy Weight State Capacity Building Program (CHWCBP) in 2020, which has been detailed in an article in the Maternal and Child Health Journal regarding its progress and lessons learned.

Developed the Clean Away COVID public service campaign to provide families with information on keeping home environments safe and clean during the pandemic, producing a music video and making resource materials available at no cost to various organizations and individuals.

Developed and implemented the Clean Away COVID public service campaign to educate families on keeping homes safer and cleaner during the pandemic, including producing a music video and making resource materials available at no cost to various organizations and individuals.

Operates a workforce development program called "Connecting The Dots" that connects members with partners focused on ending hunger and building healthy communities.

Hosts a "Connection Café" discussion series to foster collaboration, sharing of experiences, and networking among its members.

Offers a Courage in Leadership Program designed to provide a safe space for leaders to bond, support each other, and engage in courageous conversations about effective leadership, building strong teams, and emotional intelligence. Applications for the 2026 cohort are now closed.

Operates a Courage in Leadership Program with cohorts, providing a safe space for leaders to bond, support each other, and have courageous conversations about effective leadership, building strong teams, and emotional intelligence.

Administers the FARMWISE program, which supports thirteen state coalitions in advancing Farm to ECE in CACFP participating ECEs, providing funding, technical assistance, trainings, resources, and an in-person institute.

Administers the FARMWISE program, which supports thirteen state coalitions in advancing Farm to ECE in CACFP participating ECEs, with three coalitions receiving funding and all thirteen receiving technical assistance, trainings, resources, and an in-person institute.

Publishes a Federal Funding guide for 2024 and a Private Foundation Funding Guide for 2026 that provide information on federal and private funding streams for Farm to ECE activities, gardens, and positions.

Publishes a Federal Funding guide for 2024 that provides information on federal funding streams for Farm to ECE, including eligibility, allowed uses, timelines, and state examples, and a Private Foundation Funding Guide for 2026 that lists over 50 nationally-available private funding opportunities.

Oversaw three Farm to ECE grantee programs (FIG, CABBAGE, and Mini CoIIN) between 2019 and 2023, which initiated Farm to ECE programs in REACH communities, built capacity in states, funded work in 10 states and the District of Columbia, and partnered with CDC REACH recipients.

Maintains a 2026 Farm to ECE Resource Catalog with over 450 state, local, and national resources, including websites, cookbooks, toolkits, and videos.