The Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN)’s CRN Foundation and National Association of Free and Charitable Clinics (NAFC) partnered under the CRN Foundation’s Access Initiative, a national effort aimed at increasing access to high-quality dietary supplements and essential nutrition for underserved populations across the country.

The Access Initiative was launched in late 2024 and chose NAFC as its inaugural national partner because of its reach and impact; it serves 1.7 million patients through more than 5.8 million visits annually at over 1,400 clinics nationwide. The collaboration supports NAFC’s mission to build healthy communities through quality, equitable, and accessible healthcare services.

“This partnership is about putting our industry’s values into action,” said Steve Mister, president of the CRN Foundation and president and CEO of CRN. “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.”

The initiative has already garnered significant industry support from companies including Nutrawise Health & Beauty (youtheory, with a donation of $2 million), Nestlé Health Science Foundation ($25,000), Vitaquest ($500,000 in product).

“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,” said Tara Martin, senior vice president and general counsel at Jamieson Wellness and former chair of CRN’s board of directors.

“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 of Vitaquest International.

“We’re deeply grateful for the CRN Foundation’s commitment to our shared mission. 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,” said Ariana Gordillo De Vivero, senior director of strategic initiatives at NAFC.

NAFC’s network of clinics serves medically underserved individuals who are uninsured, underinsured, or otherwise fall through the cracks of the traditional healthcare system. With over 175,000 volunteers, including doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and community health workers, these clinics provide care across all 50 states.

The CRN Foundation’s Access Initiative builds on a longstanding history of support for expanding access to wellness, including prior efforts such as the Chairman’s Challenge and Act for Access, which mobilized the dietary supplement industry to advance health equity and address nutritional disparities.

The need for enhanced nutrition in these communities is urgent. According to the USDA, more than 17 million U.S. households — over 1 in 8 — struggled with food insecurity in 2022. NAFC patients, 93% of whom fall below the federal poverty level, are particularly vulnerable to poor diet-related outcomes, which can exacerbate chronic conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease. A 2023 CDC report found that adults living in low-income neighborhoods are significantly less likely to consume recommended levels of fruits and vegetables, compounding the need for accessible nutritional support.