Stephanie K. Goodwin, PhD, MPH, RD, is a nutrition and public health expert focusing on national food and nutrition policy. She currently works at Danone North America to help fulfill the company’s mission of bringing health through food to as many people as possible through partnerships, public policy, and national initiatives.
Improving access to plant-based foods for better nutritional outcomes
By Stephanie Goodwin, Danone North America Nutrition Policy Director
There is no doubt that the food system in America needs to be improved. Food insecurity is on the rise – a 2023 USDA Household Food Safety Report It found that 17 million households were food insecure (up from 13.5 million the previous year). Rising prices and supply chain issues, along with increases in diet-related diseases, have made food access and health through food a pressing issue, especially for underserved communities.
Americans are realizing that things need to change—both in their diets and in society at large. Danone’s 2023 State of Nutrition Equity Study found that one in four Americans do not have a positive view of the state of nutritional equity in the U.S. and are looking for action from food manufacturers and the government make changes.
Many people have turned to plant-based foods because they have realized that they can help create nutritious dietary patterns as recommended in the United States. US Dietary Guidelines for AmericansBut plant-based foods are not always available; our U.S. federal food and nutrition assistance programs do not include many plant-based foods.
To create meaningful change, all stakeholders, including nutrition and health organizations, the food and beverage industry, and government, must work together to improve access to plant-based foods. We must adapt to the growing plant-based market and Modernizing our approach to include plant-based foods in federal food and nutrition assistance programs.
The rise of plant-based nutrition and flexitarianism
“Flexitarianism” is a diet that is gaining popularity, which includes a combination of both animal and plant foods (98% of consumers (Those who buy plant-based protein alternatives are also buying animal meat) among younger generations who are taking a more holistic approach to health and considering how what they eat impacts their health and the health of the planet. Plant-based foods like soy milk, oat milk, almond milk, and yogurt substitutes have become increasingly popular and more accessible among Americans than they were five years ago, helping to fuel this trend — but there’s still work to be done.
Policies needed to improve access to nutritious plant-based foods
As a company with a mission Bringing health to as many people as possible through food Danone recognizes the power of federal nutrition programs whenever possible – like the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). Danone North America has been a proud advocate and contributor to WIC for over 10 years, and many of our products are eligible through the program. Earlier this year, we announced the USDA’s new Food Package RuleThe program gives families access to more plant-based products, like Silk’s soymilk yogurt alternative.
These changes are a great start, but continued modernization and flexibility in these programs are important to meet the changing nutritional needs of the population—while also maintaining strong nutritional standards. For example, the Plant-Based Foods Association (PBFA) recently a Rolling Frame is proposed to foster innovation in plant-based products and support the development and availability of new plant-based foods. As a leader in plant-based innovation, Danone North America actively supports this offering, demonstrating our commitment to bringing health through food to as many people as possible.
Increasing cooperation between the food industry and government
Enhanced collaboration among all stakeholders, including those implementing these policies, will drive even greater action and impact. The private and public sectors can work together to:
- Nutrition Standards Partnership: Government and food experts/scientists can better partner to ensure that nutritional standards are set based on the latest scientific evidence. From there, industry can work to create specific foods that meet those standards.
- Collaboration in Research and Innovation Projects: This may involve new work or developing new technologies or methods to improve overall nutritional value. At Danone, we have a laser focus on research and innovation to bring the highest quality nutritional value to our products, including developing plant-based options that don’t compromise on taste.
- Supporting Education Campaigns: Companies can help amplify government efforts by using their platforms to educate the public about healthy habits. During the historic White House conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health, Danone North America pledged $15 million to advance nutrition education through 2030. Such projects can make a big impact.
Improving access to plant-based foods requires a multifaceted approach, including policy changes and industry innovation. But there also needs to be a clear demand for these products from federal food and nutrition program participants. So shout it from the rooftops, tell your local and federal governments, schools, and retailers that you want to see a variety of plant-based options and that you want more access to them.