Anna Edesia - March 2026 Newsletter
- Sarah Anderson
- 22 hours ago
- 11 min read
Author: Sarah Anderson
Edited by: Professor Sumantra (Shumone) Ray
What does progress in nutrition look like in practice?
Often, it isn't a single breakthrough, but the steady build-up of collaboration, shared learning and action across different parts of the world.
In this edition of the Anna Edesia newsletter, we highlight some of the work shaping that progress across the NNEdPro network. From expanding projects led by our India team, to the growing role of the iKANN Nutrition Research Registry in connecting researchers, and ongoing efforts to strengthen global medical nutrition education through the GNOME Initiative, this issue brings together a range of developments and opportunities to engage.
We also look ahead to upcoming Summit activities, Summer School opportunities, and ways to take a more active role in the network through Special Interest Groups and wider contributions.
Whether you are looking to collaborate, contribute or simply stay informed, we hope this edition gives you a clear sense of where NNEdPro is heading and how you can be part of it.
Announcements
GNOME Initiative & Fundraising
The GNOME Initiative (Global Nutrition Observatory for Medical Nutrition Education) is a growing global hub for evidence generation, knowledge sharing and capacity building in medical nutrition education. Building on the foundations of the NEPHELP project, GNOME serves as an international reference point for understanding how nutrition is integrated into medical and health professional training worldwide.
In partnership with PAN International, the initiative brings together data, research and practical tools to support the translation of evidence into policy and action. Its work spans global surveys, regional reporting, Summit satellite events, academic publications and recognition programmes, all aimed at strengthening the role of nutrition within healthcare systems.
As GNOME continues to expand, it is now seeking additional donors and strategic partners to support its next phase of development. Contributions will help to strengthen regional capacity, grow the global observatory and ensure the long-term sustainability of this work.
We encourage members, partners and organisations to support and share the initiative, whether through donations, partnerships or wider advocacy, as part of a collective effort to strengthen nutrition education and empower the healthcare workforce of the future.
Special Interest Groups (SIGs)
We are currently inviting expressions of interest for Co-Chair positions across two Special Interest Groups (SIGs).
The Food, Mood and Mental Health and the Implementing Effective Interventions in Healthcare SIGs are each in need of additional co-chairs.
These roles provide an opportunity to contribute to shaping thematic areas, fostering collaboration and supporting knowledge exchange within the network.
Members interested in taking on a leadership role are encouraged to apply by emailing admin.support@nnedpro.org.uk.
Please note, these voluntary roles are only open to NNEdPro-IANE members. If you aren't a member and would like to become one, please get in contact.
Global Nutrition Careers Hub (Launching Soon!)
We will soon be launching a dedicated Global Nutrition Careers Hub on the NNEdPro and IANE websites, designed to connect professionals with opportunities across nutrition, food systems and public health.
The platform will feature roles from a range of organisations, including international agencies, universities, NGOs and research institutes, and will cover areas such as policy, research, clinical practice and food systems. Alongside job listings, selected roles will include brief expert commentary to provide additional insight into requirements and context.
In its initial phase, listings will be shared widely to build visibility and engagement, with further opportunities for featured listings to follow. Organisations interested in advertising roles or learning more about the platform are encouraged to get in touch via info@nnedpro.org.uk.
iKANN Research Registry – Upcoming Changes
The iKANN Research Registry continues to serve as a global platform for sharing and connecting nutrition education research, implementation projects and ongoing studies.
As the registry grows, a new paid access model will take effect from 1 July 2026 to support its sustainability, functionality, and long-term development.
Until then, the platform remains fully accessible, and we strongly encourage researchers, practitioners, and students to use this period to upload and share their work. This is a valuable opportunity to increase visibility, connect with potential collaborators and contribute to the growing global evidence base. We particularly encourage MSc students and early career researchers to submit their projects.
From July, the updated structure will introduce different access tiers to meet a range of user needs:
A basic access tier will allow users to create a contributor profile and explore existing research within the registry.
A professional tier will provide additional functionality, including the ability to upload and publish research, access collaboration opportunities and view detailed project summaries.
Institutional access will also be available, enabling organisations to create multiple contributor profiles and share research at scale.
This transition is designed to enhance the value of the registry by improving visibility, encouraging collaboration and supporting a more robust global evidence base in nutrition education.
NNEdPro Honorary Presidential Officers & IANE Honorary Deans
In March 2026, the NNEdPro Global Institute and its International Academy of Nutrition Educators (IANE) introduced new honorary presidential officers and deans to support its continued development and global engagement.
Prof Suzanne Piscopo continues in her role as Honorary President of NNEdPro and took on additional responsibilities as Senior Dean of IANE, overseeing the Annual Awards and Fellowship elections.
Prof Tamara Bucher was appointed Honorary Vice President of NNEdPro and Academic Dean of IANE, contributing to international engagement and leading the Academic CPD programme, with a focus on researchers and innovators.
Dr Melina Jampolis was appointed Honorary Vice President of NNEdPro and Clinical Dean of IANE, supporting ambassadorial activity, particularly in the United States, and leading the Clinical CPD programme for practitioners.
Upcoming Events
Summer School 2026 - Last chance to register!
Final preparations are underway for the upcoming Summer School cohort, taking place from 23 to 24 April, and today is your final day to register!
Designed for students, early-career professionals and practitioners, the programme combines expert teaching with interactive discussion and practical case studies.
More details, including registration information, can be found here.
Summit 2026 - Registrations now open!
Registration is now open for the 12th International Summit on Food, Nutrition and Health, taking place from 23 to 25 November 2026 at the University of Malta (hybrid participation available).
This year’s Summit is part of a wider, global series of satellite events running before and after the main meeting, creating multiple opportunities to engage across regions, disciplines and themes. These include the Global North and Global South Symposia, International Policy Dialogues, the International Awards Symposium, and additional thematic events focused on areas such as scientific advances, climate change and youth engagement.
Together, these events form a connected platform for dialogue, knowledge exchange and collaboration, bringing diverse perspectives into one shared conversation on food, nutrition and health.
The main Summit will bring this global engagement together, offering a dynamic programme of plenary sessions, technical discussions and collaborative exchanges focused on advancing practical, evidence-informed solutions across human and planetary health.
We encourage early registration to secure your place and to explore opportunities to engage across the wider Summit series.
Recent Events
MTK Seminar at The Rowett Institute, Aberdeen
24 March 2026
NNEdPro delivered a seminar at The Rowett Institute marking two years of the Mobile Teaching Kitchen International (MTKi) Initiative in the UK.
Presented by Professor Sumantra Ray, the session explored the evolution of the MTK model from its origins in India to its growing impact in the East of Scotland, with additional insights from Belfast, East London, Mexico and the United States.
The seminar highlighted how integrated nutrition education, culinary skills and community engagement can support efforts to address food insecurity and malnutrition, alongside updates on the Scottish programme’s continued development.
1st International Water Seminar, São Paulo
23 March 2026
Nikitah Ray and Francesco Giurdanella represented the NNEdPro Youth Ambassadors Club at the 1st International Water Seminar in São Paulo, contributing to global discussions on water preservation and sustainability.
The session focused on the critical links between water, food systems, nutrition and health, emphasising the need for integrated approaches that connect environmental sustainability with nutrition policy and practice.
The event reinforced the importance of cross-sector collaboration in building more resilient and healthy communities.
Dundee Science Festival
19–22 February 2026
NNEdPro participated in the Dundee Science Festival with a dedicated Mobile Teaching Kitchen (MTK) stand, engaging families and the wider public in conversations around nutrition and health.
Hosted by Dundee Science Centre, the team connected with a large number of visitors over the course of the festival, sharing practical, evidence-based messages and showcasing the MTK approach. The event provided a valuable opportunity for community engagement and public education.
MTK Community Workshops, Arbroath
February–March 2026
A series of Mobile Teaching Kitchen (MTK) workshops took place in Arbroath between February and March, bringing together members of the public for practical sessions combining cooking demonstrations with nutrition education.
The workshops featured both Scottish and South Asian menu templates, highlighting culturally relevant, affordable and nutritious approaches to healthy eating.
The final session marked two and a half years of MTK activity in the East of Scotland, reflecting strong community engagement and the contribution of local MTK Champions.
Insights shared by participants, including perspectives on traditional low-cost diets, reinforced the value of integrating lived experience with evidence-based guidance.
These sessions continue to inform the ongoing development and future expansion of the programme.
NNEdPro India
A Year of Community, Growth and Impact
Over the past year, NNEdPro’s work in India has continued to evolve through a combination of community engagement, nutrition education, research and enterprise development, led by the Bhavishya Shakti Cooperative Society (BSCS). From early 2025 to early 2026, this has included both the continuation of long-standing programmes such as the Mobile Teaching Kitchen and Little Literacy Library, as well as expansion into new areas of impact.
These initiatives highlight how locally led approaches can drive meaningful change, while contributing to wider global priorities in food, nutrition and health. As this work continues to grow, we look forward to sharing further insights and identifying opportunities for collaboration across the network.
The year began with a field visit to Dindori, Madhya Pradesh (2–5 January 2025), where data was collected from the Baiga community as part of a collaborative project with NNEdPro and partners in the UAE.
This work is contributing to the development of a Baiga recipe book aimed at improving nutritional adequacy through locally relevant and culturally rooted food practices.
In February, outreach efforts included the distribution of clothing to 25 children in the R.G.
Kar slum, supporting basic needs within the community.
This was followed in March by activities for International Women’s Day (8th March), where free health check ups and blood tests were organised for MTK Champions recognising their central role in delivering
community nutrition initiatives.
In April, the team marked World Autism Day by providing free meals to children with autism in collaboration with the DWish Institute for Special Needs, reinforcing inclusive community engagement.
With the onset of summer, May saw a responsive public health initiative in which traditional cooling drinks, such as aam panna (Raw mango cooling drink), were distributed to help communities cope with the heatwave.
During this period, the MTK programme also expanded its menu by introducing a fish curry dish. This was preceded by focused training for MTK Champions on safe handling, hygiene practices, and the separation of cooking areas, ensuring quality, consistency, and standardisation in preparation.
In June, the Bhavishya Shakti Kitchen celebrated Jamaishasthi (1st June) with a special Maha Bhoj thali comprising 12 items, blending cultural tradition with community enterprise. This was followed by a nutrition awareness programme (4th June), during which community members engaged in one-on-one discussions to better understand food and nutrition, and to learn about the work of the Bhavishya Shakti Kitchen.
Activities continued on 21st June (International Yoga Day), with a nutrition awareness session conducted in collaboration with AIWC, linking nutrition with broader wellbeing practices.
During July, the initiative continued to grow through both enterprise and outreach. A bulk order for a birthday celebration (25th July) enabled the redistribution of food to children from Little Literacy Libraries (LLLs) in R.G. Kar and Chetla Gate, ensuring that celebrations also contributed to community nourishment.
Earlier in the month, a Mexican cuisine training session (18th July) was held for MTK Champions, expanding their culinary skills and diversifying the menu offerings.
In August, fundraising efforts supported the renovation and maintenance of LLL spaces, with contributions handed over to the educational supervisor. This was complemented by the distribution of hygiene kits, notebooks, colour pencils, and educational materials by Prof. Ray and Nikitah Rajput Ray.
The MTK initiative also fulfilled a bulk food order for Lake Town Club members (50 plates) and conducted a Mexican menu workshop, where Champions showcased their skills and introduced new menu options to the wider Kolkata community.
September marked Nutrition Month, during which interactive sessions were held at both library sites, engaging approximately 40 children along with their parents. This helped extend nutrition education beyond children to families, strengthening household-level awareness.
The festive season also brought in bulk orders during Durga Puja, reflecting increasing community trust and demand
for MTK services.
In October, programme innovation continued with a protein bar experimentation session (8th October), where oats were incorporated into the formulation. The month also included multiple bulk orders, including from Remedy Clinic (17th October) and additional orders later in the month, indicating growing institutional engagement.
November focused on direct health service delivery, with health camps conducted on 14th November (R.G. Kar Library) and 15th November (Chetla Library), reinforcing the integration of nutrition with broader healthcare access.
The year concluded with a series of impactful engagements in December, including a bulk order from PYC (3rd December), participation in the 6th Kolkata District Book Fair (17th–19th December) through the MTK van, and a special order of patisapta (22nd December) distributed to cancer patients at Gandhi Hospital, extending support to vulnerable groups during the festive period.
Momentum has continued into 2026, with sustained enterprise activity and community engagement.
In January, orders included 25 plates of patisapta and egg devil (12th January), followed by additional bulk orders at the end of the month. In February, a sponsored initiative enabled the distribution of milk to children at the Little Literacy Libraries during Maha Shivratri (17th February), continuing efforts to support child nutrition.
Overall, this period has reflected the steady continuation of our work in India across community programmes, training activities, kitchen initiatives, and partnerships.
Looking ahead, the next major activities planned are the MTK Conclave in May and a clinical nutrition focused event in August.
RECENT BLOG POSTS
Scottish Mobile Teaching Kitchen at the Dundee Science Festival
The Glass Before the Plate
Reflections from the MTK UK Workshop: A Medical Doctor’s Perspective
Polypharmacy And Masld: Why Taking Many Medicines Can Matter For Your Health
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The official websites of NNEdPro Global Institute and its subsidiaries are listed below. Please note that any other websites with similar names which do not conform to these URLs are not run by us and do not represent our organisation:
Anna Edesia, named after "Annapurna" (the Ancient Indian deity of food and nourishment) and "Edesia" (the Ancient Roman goddess of food), is NNEdPro's platform for highlighting our ongoing work, providing a snapshot of our key projects, ongoing research outputs and related publications - including from our flagship journal, BMJ Nutrition, Prevention and Health. Since 2023, Anna Edesia has been published in the form of blogs, continuing to share insights into our key projects, research, and publications. From June 2021 to June 2023, Anna Edesia was a quarterly magazine, and before that, it was shared as newsletters. |
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