Ahold USA, Field Trip Factory to Host Dietitian Summit

Field Trip Factory (FTF), a provider of hands-on, immersion learning experiences, will host its third annual Dietitian Summit in 2011, this year in partnership with retail conglomerate Ahold USA. Scheduled for May 18 through May 20, 2011, at the GIANT Community Center in Willow Grove, Pa., the two-day gathering of health, wellness and nutrition experts from around the world aims to help the food industry better support consumer health at the store level.

Previous summits have taken place in Phoenix and Chicago, and attendees have included representatives of the Kellogg Co., General Mills, PepsiCo, Del Monte, Ahold USA, Supervalu, Giant Eagle, Hannaford, H-E-B, Lowes Foods and Meijer.

“As the American population continues to grow in its diversity, a global understanding of health and wellness is necessary for all food retail dietitians,” noted Susan Singer, president and founder of Chicago-based FTF, which coordinates free educational field trips for groups such as kids and seniors in all 50 states. “Our partnership with Ahold USA will open up the discussion to include this critical international perspective.”

This year’s summit will focus on national and international health and wellness trends and the local application of best practices. Additionally, Twitter followers can interact with summit attendees @dietitiansummit.

Part of Ahold, the Amsterdam-based international food retailing group, Ahold USA supports four divisions that operate nearly 750 supermarkets in 13 states and the District of Columbia: Stop & Shop/Metro NY, Stop & Shop/New England, Giant Landover, and Giant Carlisle. In addition, Ahold USA operates Peapod, an online grocery shopping and delivery service.