/News/Markets-trends — The collaboration, announced Tuesday, is part of CRN Foundation’s Access Initiative, which launched in late 2024 as a long-term commitment to closing nutritional gaps for vulnerable populations through strategic partnerships, product donations and educational resources.
“This partnership is about putting our industry’s values into action,” said Steve Mister, president of the CRN Foundation, in a statement. “NAFC and its member clinics are doing heroic work to bridge gaps in healthcare for those who need it most. With the support of our member companies, we’re proud to provide tangible nutritional resources that can help make a difference in people’s lives.”
Founded in 2001, the NAFC is dedicated to providing quality, equitable and accessible healthcare through its nationwide network of clinics, serving individuals who are uninsured, underinsured or otherwise overlooked by the traditional healthcare system.
Industry’s values into action
According to a Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN) press release, the initiative has already garnered significant industry support.
Nutrawise Health & Beauty (youtheory), a division of Jamieson Wellness, donated products valued at nearly $2 million, and the Nestlé Health Science Foundation contributed a $25,000 grant to support NAFC’s programs.
Commenting on the impact of the initiative, Tara Martin, senior vice president and general counsel of Jamieson Wellness and former chair of the CRN Board of Directors said: “When I visited several NAFC clinics last year, I witnessed firsthand the compassion, quality care and dignity offered to people who often have nowhere else to turn. It was clear to me that the dietary supplement industry can and should be part of the solution.”
Dietary supplement manufacturer Vitaquest is launching its VQ CARES program with the development of the VitaQ premium multivitamin and an annual donation of $500,000 worth of product. The company is also extending its impact by providing free supplement manufacturing to suppliers who donate materials, helping deliver no-cost supplements to NAFC communities.
“We’re proud to bring Vitaquest’s capabilities to this initiative, delivering trusted supplements to communities where better nutrition can make a life-changing difference,” said Patrick Brueggman, CEO at Vitaquest International.
The work of NACF
With over 175,000 volunteers—including doctors, nurses, pharmacists and community health workers, NAFC provides care at over 1,400 clinics nationwide to 1.7 million patients through more than 5.8 million visits annually.
The Access Initiative underscores the urgent need for improved nutrition in underserved communities, citing USDA data showing that more than 17 million U.S. households experienced food insecurity in 2022. Patients served by the NAFC, 93% of whom live below 250% of the federal poverty level, are particularly vulnerable to poor diet-related outcomes, which can exacerbate chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension and heart disease.
A 2023 CDC report further highlights the issue, revealing that adults living in low-income neighborhoods are significantly less likely to consume recommended amounts of fruits and vegetables. This disparity reinforces the need to address the critical gap in care, one that the Access Initiative looks to fill with essential supplements.
“We’re deeply grateful for the CRN Foundation’s commitment to our shared mission,” said Ariana Gordillo De Vivero, senior director of strategic initiatives at NAFC. “Access to proper nutrition is a critical, yet often overlooked, component of healthcare. This initiative ensures that our clinics can offer more than just treatment—they can help patients build lasting wellness.”
