Hey, the American Dietetic Association is having a big convention in Philly next fall. The ADA, which represents 65,000 dietitians, claims to …
… serve the public by promoting optimal nutrition, health and well-being. ADA members are the nation’s food and nutrition experts, translating the science of nutrition into practical solutions for healthy living.
Ah, the experts are getting together! Maybe they’ll take a critical look at soaring diabetes and obesity rates, and perhaps brainstorm ways of linking consumers directly to fresh-food sources.
Then again, probably not.
The conference, it turns out, is funded by major food conglomerates, which will be fielding stands in the expo hall. Predictable players include: Archer Daniels Midland, Coca Cola, Chick-fil-A, ConAgra, Monsanto(!), Cargill (its “Sweetness Solutions” division, no less!), GlaxoSmithKline, Kelloggs, Kraft, Mars, McDonald’s, the National Cattleman’s Beef Association, Novartis, Pepsi, Sara Lee, Unilever … I could go on.
Any major corporation you can think of that manufactures “food,” click here and you’ll likely find it. Clearly, these purveyors of plastic crap find the ADA conference and its attendees useful conduits for marketing their stuff.
Dear God, I wish more dietitians would push away the poison teat of corporate cash and start trying to teach people to choose, cook, and eat real food. Guess there ain’t as much money in that, though.
(Tip of the hat to Martha Ma of the comfood listserv.)
