At the beginning of October, our team put on our cowboy boots and headed to Nashville, Tennessee for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND) annual Food & Nutrition Conference & Expo (FNCE) – a three-day educational and networking event for registered dietitians. Our booth in the expo hall, which featured a branded frozen raspberry photo booth with a frozen raspberry backdrop, was a hit – to say the very least.

There were nearly 1200 photos taken over the three days with the frequency of visitors to our photo booth exceeding the competitors. We also received glowing reviews from attendees and increased interaction on all social media platforms over the course of the event. We even had the most recent winner from last season’s The Biggest Loser stop by and share her photos!

The team including our executive director, Tom Krugman and grower, Brad Rader had the wonderful opportunity to answer questions and rub elbows with the nutrition industry’s leading professionals. Over the course of the entire 3-day event, we were able to tell our story and provide dietitians with nutrition resources and recipes, as well as provide insight into the frozen raspberry industry.

On the last night of the conference, the NPRC hosted an invitation-only culinary and dining adventure held at Vanderbilt University for foodservice dietitians such as those that work with Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, Red Lobster, Sysco and more. The evening included cocktails and a seated dinner, which incorporated processed raspberries and showcased the culinary versatility of our favorite fruit.

Dining Services Director Chef Camp Howard provided some entertaining insight on what to expect from the industry’s emerging customers—often referred to as “Gen Z”— and what they are demanding, especially when it comes to healthful food. We look forward to continually connecting with these dietitians and being a resource from them as they look for menu and recipe development ideas.