Food is never just food.
It’s healthcare, climate action, culture, community, and hope.
Mary Purdy, MS, RDN, is a food systems strategist, educator, and eco-dietitian working at the intersection of nutrition, regenerative agriculture, food justice, climate, and human health.
With more than 13 years of clinical experience, she has helped thousands of patients improve their health through a personalized Food Is Medicine approach while championing food systems that nourish both people and the planet.
Mary has advised numerous food brands, nonprofits, and mission-driven organizations on nutrition strategy, sustainability messaging, practitioner education, and systems-based health communication.
Most recently, Mary served as Managing Director of the Nutrient Density Initiative, helping bridge the gap between soil health, agricultural practices, nutrient density, and public health outcomes.
She is also the author of the white paper How Practitioners Can Influence Planetary Health as well as two books focused on the gut microbiome, nutrition, and sustainable living, with a few personal humor essays woven in along the way.
Mary is an experienced media host and communicator who has produced and hosted two podcasts, The Nutrition Show and The Good Clean Nutrition Podcast, over a combined six-year span, publishing more than 130 episodes featuring leaders in nutrition, agriculture, sustainability, medicine, and public health. In addition, she has appeared as a guest on nearly two dozen podcasts, where she is known for translating complex science and systems-level concepts into engaging, actionable conversations.
Mary taught for eight years at Bastyr University in Seattle, WA, where she trained future nutrition and medical professionals in integrative and functional nutrition as well as Nutrition, Sustainable Food Systems.
She has also served as Adjunct Faculty for The Culinary Institute of America Master’s Program in Sustainable Food Systems, where she taught Sustainable Diets and Public Health for 3 years, and currently acts as Strategic Program Manager for their renowned Menus of Change Leadership Summit, a national initiative advancing healthier, more sustainable food choices across the foodservice industry.
Through speaking, writing, consulting, connecting, and educating, Mary is unapologetically passionate about advancing resilient, equitable, and nourishing food systems that support both people and planet. She believes that relationships, trust, inclusivity, and heart-centered approaches are what truly drives success.
Mary spearheaded and co-developed several educational resources with the Nutrient Density Initiative designed to translate emerging science into practical tools for health professionals, brands, retailers, and food system stakeholders.
Mary Speaks!
A sought-after speaker, Mary regularly presents at national conferences, universities, healthcare organizations, and food systems events on a variety of topics, including:
- Sustainable and regenerative and just food systems
- Food, climate and health
- The nutrient density and soil health connection
- Food-as-medicine approaches to chronic diseases
- Food is medicine in healthcare interventions
Ready to Collaborate?
Whether you’re looking for a strategic advisor, keynote speaker, or thought partner, let’s explore how we can build healthier, more resilient food systems together.