Every day, registered dietitians work behind the scenes and in communities across the country to make healthy eating more accessible, practical, and empowering for the people they serve. In honor of National Registered Dietitian Day, we’re celebrating three dedicated dietitians at The Food Trust who are helping turn nutrition knowledge into real-life impact. Through community education, cooking demonstrations, and hands-on programs, they support individuals and families in building confidence around food and developing habits that promote long-term health. Read on to learn more about the passion and experiences that drive their work in communities every day.
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“We all know good food is the foundation of good health—but in a world of constant “wellness” noise, putting that into practice has never been more complicated.
As a dietitian, I’m honored to help people cut through the misinformation and rediscover the joy of delicious, nutritious eating. That’s why I’m so proud of my work with TFT. We aren’t just talking about health; we’re making it a reality by ensuring nutritious food is accessible, affordable, and paired with the skills needed to create sustainable change.”
– Heidi Gornoik, RD, Vice President of Programs
“My career in nutrition started in 2009 doing reentry and recovery work in Delaware. From my first day working in nutrition, I saw how diverse opportunities were– I could do clinical assessments, kitchen inspections, teach ServSafe and run cooking / nutrition classes. I worked at a food bank after that and then came to The Food Trust to create and pilot adult nutrition education classes at the organization. There was so much room for creativity, innovation and no two days ever looked the same. I’ve been lucky enough to touch all our programs here and have worked at farmers markets, grocery stores, community sites, food pantries and corner stores. I shifted to clinical work for a few years, specializing in pediatric endocrine disorders, but returned to The Food Trust working on local, regional and national corner store work. There is something so special about interacting with people around food on their good days versus when they’re in a clinical setting. The impact is huge and I’m so lucky to get to work on initiatives like our Healthy Corner Store and Heart Smarts program, Cooking Matters, Inside Out and other community nutrition work! I’ve also been a professor of nutrition since 2020 and I still think about my first day all those years ago when I saw the diversity in opportunities there are for dietitians.”
– Nyssa Entrekin, MS, RD, Deputy Director of Nutrition Education, Adjunct Professor of Nutrition
“My career in nutrition began in 2019 when I started my first role as a dietitian in a clinical setting. In this position, I provided nutrition care for patients of all ages in both long-term care facilities and an inpatient hospital environment. This experience gave me a strong clinical foundation and insight into the diverse nutrition needs individuals face throughout the lifespan.
During this time, I discovered my true passion lies in community nutrition. I am dedicated to helping individuals and families build the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to establish healthy eating habits and make sustainable lifestyle changes that support long-term health.
I strongly believe that everyone deserves access to safe, nutritious food and the ability to prepare meals for themselves and their families. One of the most rewarding aspects of my work is witnessing the moment when a new concept truly resonates—when individuals gain the understanding and confidence to apply what they’ve learned in their everyday lives.
Through implementing Cooking Matters curricula in a variety of community settings, I have the privilege of providing practical, hands-on nutrition education that empowers people to make informed food choices and develop lifelong healthy habits.”
– Katie Gunter, MS, RDN, Senior Manager of Cooking Matters