Health + Nutrition First: A Year of Partnership, Progress, and Purpose

As we close out the year, Health + Nutrition First is proud to reflect on a year defined by meaningful partnerships, thoughtful analysis, and tangible progress toward healthier, more equitable communities. This year marked continued growth in both the depth and scope of our work, supporting organizations, coalitions, and public health leaders as they navigated complex challenges through collaboration, evidence, and systems-level solutions. In alignment with our values, we were also proud to support and mentor three public health interns this year, investing in the next generation of leaders who will carry this work forward.

This was not an easy year for public health professionals. As the national landscape continued to shift, many state and local leaders faced uncertainty, constrained resources, and growing needs across communities. Yet, amid these challenges, one theme stood out clearly: the resilience of communities and the people who serve them. Throughout this year’s work, we witnessed the grit of state and local leaders as they came together to identify and address significant gaps in the social and health safety net, with ingenuity, creativity, and a deep commitment to collaboration. That resilience has been one of the year's most powerful and inspiring highlights.

Advancing Change Through Strong Partnerships

Partnership remained at the heart of our work this year. We deepened long-standing collaborations and welcomed new clients whose missions align with advancing nutrition security, maternal and child health, active transportation, and resilient public health systems.

A central focus of our work continued to be our partnership with Feeding South Dakota, including strategic support for advocacy capacity, coalition development, and leadership of the South Dakota Healthy Nutrition Collaborative. Through this work, we helped strengthen a statewide, cross-sector network working to elevate nutrition security through coordinated policy and systems approaches.

This year also marked the start of an exciting new partnership with South Dakota Doulas, a nonprofit organization advancing doula literacy and access across the state. Health + Nutrition First began serving as Executive Director, supporting organizational strategy, governance, and sustainable growth. This work reflects our commitment to strengthening maternal and infant health systems by investing in workforce development and community-rooted solutions.

Health + Nutrition First also engaged in a significant and meaningful public health partnership with SLM Consulting, collaborating on multiple large-scale assessment and planning efforts that support state and local public health modernization. Together, we contributed to South Dakota's Maternal and Child Health Needs Assessment, and Public Health Preparedness Needs Assessment, and the evolution of a Montana Public Health Systems Improvement Workplan, efforts designed to help agencies identify priorities, strengthen infrastructure, and align strategies for long-term impact.

At the national level, we partnered closely with GoodWin Strategies Inc. and Matthew Marsom to serve as policy consultants to the Association of SNAP Nutrition Education Administrators, supporting strategic policy analysis, partner engagement, and long-term visioning to help position nutrition education for future relevance, sustainability, and impact.

Supporting Emerging Networks and Collaborative Infrastructure

This year, Health + Nutrition First also supported the development of emerging statewide networks focused on systems change. One such effort was our work with the South Dakota Active Transportation Network, where we provided facilitation, strategic planning, charter development, and outreach support to help move the network from vision to action.

This work exemplifies our approach: coming alongside partners early, clarifying scope, building structure, and ensuring they are prepared to take the next step with confidence and clarity.

Producing High-Impact Analysis and Thought Leadership

Throughout the year, Health + Nutrition First delivered policy analysis, reports, and written products designed to inform decision-making and drive action. We supported partners in interpreting emerging research, understanding federal and state policy shifts, and identifying implications for programs such as SNAP, school meals, Food Is Medicine initiatives, maternal and child health systems, public health preparedness, and active transportation.

In November, our Founder, Jennifer Noll Folliard, MPH, RDN, co-authored Beyond Technology: Modernizing through Collaboration, a national report published by Nava Labs. Based on interviews with policymakers, digital service practitioners, and technical experts, the report highlights how cross-sector and cross-agency collaboration can modernize government systems more effectively than technology alone, reinforcing the importance of relationships and trust in public sector innovation.

Looking Ahead

As we reflect on the year, we are deeply grateful to the clients, partners, collaborators, and communities who trusted Health + Nutrition First with their work. This year reaffirmed a core truth of our mission: lasting change happens through relationships, evidence, and shared purpose.

This year reminded me that public health is ultimately about people, people showing up, adapting, and finding ways forward even when the path is unclear. I am continually inspired by the grit and collaboration of state and local leaders working to strengthen the social and health safety net. Thank you to every partner who allowed Health + Nutrition First to be part of your journey this year.

— Jennifer Noll Folliard, MPH, RDN