Food Nutrition and Dietetics Club provides opportunities to learn about the field

NORMAL, Ill. – Illinois State University’s Food Nutrition and Dietetics Club meets 6 p.m. Mondays and welcomes students of all majors who are interested in learning more about nutrition and dietetics field.

The club is geared toward food, nutrition, and dietetics majors and provides opportunities to learn about the field through volunteer opportunities and guest speakers. Meetings typically include discussions about upcoming volunteer events followed by guest speakers from the community.

In addition to formal meetings, the club hosts activities such as cooking classes and social events.

Club president Faith Delarco, a senior majoring in food, nutrition, and dietetics, has been a member since her first year at ISU.

“An organization that all the people that are interested in nutrition, you don’t have to be a nutrition major, just like sharing that interest, we have guest speakers coming and talk about nutrition, what they do in their career. And then we also do like cooking nights. So, it’s just like a fun space for people that are interested in nutrition food,” said Delarco.

The club also provides a space for students to ask questions and gain knowledge about the major and potential career paths.

“We just have a space for, especially underclassmen, if they have questions about internships, what you can do for the career classes. Just things like that. It’s just like a space that people can share the interest in. And if they have questions, like we just talk about things like that,” said Delarco.

The club provides food for its cooking events and teaches members how to prepare the dishes.

“The club provides the food. We usually do desserts or, like, a themed food item. So last time we did pumpkin bars for fall, and then we’re gonna be doing a Halloween cooking night, so we’re gonna be making Halloween pizzas,” said Delarco.

The club also accommodates members’ food allergies.

“We do always accommodate for allergies, so gluten allergies, nut allergies, things like that,” said Delarco.

Membership costs $7 per semester or $14 for the academic year.

“It is $7 per semester or $14 up front, if you want to pay for the whole year. If you know you’re gonna be committed to it,” said Delarco.

The club typically holds one fundraiser a year to raise money for its activities.

“We do plan to do something like that in the spring. I assume we would do a bake sale again, so we would all get together as a club; whoever wants to join, we would make everything in the food lab. And then sell it out on the quad,” said Delarco.

Delarco said the club has provided her with a strong sense of community during her time at ISU.

“I’m very thankful for the people I’ve met in it, and I just think it’s a really good community that we have in the club,” said Delarco.

Students interested in learning more about the Food, Nutrition and Dietetics Club or joining can email fndclub.isu@gmail.com.