The U of M DI program is located in the Twin Cities, a thriving, multicultural metropolitan area comprised of hundreds of diverse ethnic groups and nationalities. The Minneapolis-St Paul metro is particularly noted for its flourishing American Indian, Hmong, Somali, and Mexican cultural communities. (Learn more about the diversity present in the Twin Cities area)
Our Dietetic Internship Program is committed to educating and empowering interns from all backgrounds, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or age. We believe that the nutritional health of our communities cannot thrive without contributions from a diverse group of dietetic professionals, who bring invaluable insight from their unique backgrounds and perspectives.
Our commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice is demonstrated through our partnerships with a number of national and community organizations:
Cultural Wellness Center Community Health Hub
The Cultural Wellness Center’s Community Health Hub (CHH) operates out of the Minneapolis Midtown Global Market (MGM). The market is located on East Lake Street in the heart of a diverse and vibrant community. However, there are a number of barriers to practical, healthful, affordable, and desirable foods. Additionally, there is a high incidence of health inequity and diet-related disease. The CHH offers programming to meet the health and wellness needs of the community including movement, vaccine clinics, and Neighborhood Nutrition. More recently, grants were awarded to open a Community Kitchen to interface food, culture, and health. Through culinary heritage and access to healthful food options, the aim is to increase consumption of whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. Dietetic Interns work with the Chef at the Community Kitchen to learn the role of manager in a dynamic foodservice system which focuses on feeding the community in ways which feed the soul as well as the body.
The Aliveness Project
The Aliveness Project is a wellness community which provides hot meals, food shelf access, and a safe and welcoming environment for clients with HIV/AIDS. Our Dietetic Interns assess nutritional and non-nutritional barriers (housing status, food access, mental health, etc.) and needs. Interns also learn trauma-informed nutrition care guidelines, assist in the coordination of care between case managers, pharmacists, providers and other applicable persons, and gain understanding of the complex and wide spectrum of medical needs within this population.
Perspectives Inc.
Perspectives Inc. is devoted to empowering mothers, rebuilding families, and healing following trauma and chemical/mental health issues. The Cargill Kids Cafe within Perspectives works with children and their parents to improve children’s access to nutritious food, increase healthy food behaviors and lifestyle choices, and support student learning. Kids Cafe works with multiple partners to build a community that utilizes nutritious food and meals as a connecting point to strengthen families, educate, celebrate, and comfort. They serve homeless and at-risk children, grades K-8, who reside in St. Louis Park, MN. Our Dietetic Interns are mentored by the The Kids Cafe Chef and Registered Dietitian.
Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
The Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program services include providing nutrition education, breastfeeding promotion, education, referrals, and vouchers for food purchasing. Dietetic Interns learn to obtain health and nutrition information from clients, make appropriate nutrition recommendations, and develop nutrition care plans for clients, assist with nutrition education of clients at WIC appointments, and identify criteria for determining WIC eligibility and composition of food packages (vouchers).
Land Acknowledgement
The University of Minnesota - Twin Cities is a Land Grant University that is located on traditional, ancestral, and contemporary lands of Indigenous people. The University resides on Dakota land ceded in the Treaties of 1837 and 1851.
- Local Dakota Land Map — downloadable visual and audio Dakota land maps of Minneapolis, St. Paul, and surrounding areas by local artist Marlena Myles
- Territory Map and Territory Acknowledgement Guides from UMN Libraries
- Why Treaties Matter — a comprehensive and thoughtful exploration of treaties and land theft in Minnesota. For our area, we recommend you begin by reading about the 1837 land cession treaties with the Ojibwe and Dakota, and the 1851 Dakota land cession treaties
