The State of Health & Wellness for the Food Industry

With a strong background in food, nutrition and business - holding a combined MBA/RD from Dominican University - Marie brings Datassential a unique culinary perspective and health-driven point of view. Restaurant chains and suppliers have relied on Marie’s expertise in menu and product development, and for years she has helped foodservice and retail companies excel in innovation. Marie is a member of the Menus of Change Business Leadership Council, a group of leading chefs, food and foodservice executives, entrepreneurs, investors, and social innovators working to inform, support, and confront issues that are surrounding the food industry today. Marie routinely speaks at industry events and conferences and has been interviewed by several publications including BuzzFeed, The Washington Post and The Chicago Tribune.

Datassential makes the food industry smarter, providing trend software, predictive analytics, and consumer insights that help manufacturers, food retailers, and chain restaurants innovate and sell more intelligently.

Market RD (www.MarketRD.com), is a marketing communications agency that leverages credentialed health professionals as expert influencers to impact healthy food purchases. On a mission to power health everywhere food is sold, Barb has worked across the spectrum of the food supply chain. As the nutrition expert for Avocados From Mexico (https://avocadosfrommexico.com/avocado-nutrition/nutritionist/) since 2014, she has been part of the success that has doubled per capita consumption of America’s favorite fruit (from 2 to 9 pounds). She is a former corporate dietitian for a supermarket chain and launched an annual supermarket dietitian symposium to bring together key stakeholders from the food industry (supermarkets, commodity groups, CPGs, NGOs) to improve shopper health from 2010-2018. As a leading voice in retail health, she writes for Today’s Dietitian, Progressive Grocer and the HuffPost.

She consults with food companies, brands, agriculture/seafood organizations and grocery retailers that are committed to making a difference in consumer health. Her clients include: LaCroix Sparkling Water (National Beverage Corporation); Mariani Nut Company; Superior Fresh Aquaponics (Land-Based salmon + organic leafy greens); and the United Soybean Board.

Barb has an M.S. degree in nutrition from Boston University and a B.S. degree in nutrition science from Cornell University. Born and raised in Bellport, New York, she now lives in Phoenix, Arizona and enjoys year-round sunshine. Connect with her on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/barbruhs/) and Social Media @BarbRuhsRD