Who We Are

Our Vision

Optimizing Minnesotans’ health through food and nutrition

Our Mission

Empowering MAND members to be Minnesota’s food and nutrition leaders

Minnesota Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (MAND) is an affiliate of the Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics. With approximately 1,600 members, it is the largest professional organization of nutrition health professionals in Minnesota. Membership is limited to Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDs and RDNs), and Diet Technicians, Registered (DTRs), those eligible for these classifications, students, and retired members.

As you might expect, our members work in every healthcare setting – hospitals, home care, long term care and clinics. But their leadership extends to many other areas of work:

  • Schools
  • Business and industry
  • Clinical research
  • Community health and wellness
  • Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC)
  • Maternal and infant nutrition
  • Eating disorders
  • Food shelves
  • Grocery stores
  • U of MN & Extension
  • MN Department of Health
  • Sports nutrition
  • Fitness
  • State Health Insurance Programs
  • Farm to School
  • Diabetes Prevention Programs
  • Private Practice

This breadth of reach and experience gives our members a broad base of understanding and influence on food and nutrition issues impacting Minnesotans.

Registered Dietitians and DTRs are credentialed through the national organization, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. A majority of our members have advanced degrees or specialty certifications. Additionally, Registered Dietitians (RDs) and Nutritionists are licensed by the State of Minnesota. DTRs do not require licensure in Minnesota and typically practice under the licensure of the RD in clinical settings.  Learn more about the importance of licensure.

MAND members are food and nutrition experts uniquely qualified and positioned to deliver cost-effective prevention, wellness and disease management services.

The members of MAND are governed by a Board of Directors, who are elected by the membership. The Board determines a strategic plan for the association, as well as, a yearly plan of work and the annual budget. In addition, a broad variety of committees, representatives and liaisons assist in carrying out the work of the association.

What is an RDN and DTR?

Registered Dietitian Nutritionists or Registered Dietitians (RDN/RD) are nutrition experts that have completed at least an undergraduate degree and standardized internship to earn their credentials. These individuals have spent many years learning how to translate science into relatable information for a variety of audiences. They work in many settings, including hospitals, wellness facilities, private practice, nursing homes, food banks, food industry, public health clinics, food service and schools.

Dietetic Technicians, Registered (DTR) are educated at the technical level of nutrition and dietetics practice for the delivery of safe, culturally competent, quality food and nutrition services. DTRs are an integral part of the healthcare and food service management teams. DTRs typically work under the guidance of the RD in clinical settings, and independently in a variety of settings to provide general nutrition education to healthy populations. DTRs must complete either a 2-year degree with supervised practice or a 4-year degree without supervised practice. That also must pass a registration exam to earn their credentials.

Learn more at the Commission on Dietetic Registration website.

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