Our Story
Food Directions brings the expertise, experience, and relationships important to companies operating in a global food policy environment. Founded in 2010 by Elizabeth (Beth) Johnson, Food Directions operates at the intersection where science, policy, legislation, and regulation meet.
Food Directions knows food policy—the foundation of the global food system encompassing the sum of stakeholders and their interactions from farm to fork. Food policy impacts the food value chain from what is grown on farms to what choices are available on grocery shelves and on restaurant plates. We provide our clientele with a thorough understanding of the interconnectedness of food and agriculture science, policy and politics in the U.S. and around the globe.
With employees well versed in science, policy, and public affairs, Food Directions has established itself as a trusted entity among food policy stakeholders. We work closely with Congressional leaders, government agencies, public health associations, consumer groups and research organizations to coordinate and identify points of commonality.
More specifically, Food Directions has a deep bench of experts and opinion leaders with whom we regularly tap for information and counsel. At the state, federal, and international level, Food Directions is plugged into the ever-changing food policy dynamic, keeping a close eye on industry trends and to effectively position clients in a competitive marketplace.
Food Directions can also assist food companies and restaurants in creating food labeling (product label, website details, social media and marketing) information that effectively differentiates products and helps tell the story of the food in ways that are compelling to the target consumer, through nutrition, clean labeling, taste or other desired characteristics.
Food Directions helps food and foodservice industries comply with all federal, state, and global regulations, while finding prospects to favorably communicate the positive attributes of food products in a way that engages target consumers and helps tell the food story. Food Directions will help identify potential risks and opportunities in communicating key messages about food products, while also providing insight into relevant potential future trends.
Our Mission
Empowering clients with a voice and strategy to shape the policies of a global food system.
Our Vision
A world where food industry, government, and non-governmental organizations work harmoniously to create a safe, affordable, sustainable, and healthy food system.
Food policy isn’t just what we do, it is what we love.
Our Team
Elizabeth (Beth) Johnson, MS
Founder + Principal
Beth Johnson, brings over 25 years of food policy experience serving inside and outside the government, including the Food and Drug Administration, US Department of Agriculture, Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, and the National Restaurant Association, where she built strong relationships with a broad group of stakeholders and a unique and in-depth understanding of how industry can impact policy decisions. Over the years, Johnson has been involved in policy negotiations and development at the local, state, federal and international level. She also helped lead USDA’s work on CODEX and the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Beth holds relationships with administration officials, agency career staff, key congressional offices as well as public health and consumer advocates that help pave the way for fruitful discussions for our clients. Johnson lives near Annapolis with her husband and two daughters.
Maggie S. Gentile, MS, RD, LD
Partner
Maggie Gentile is a Partner and the Vice President of Food and Nutrition Policy at Food Directions LLC. Gentile joined Food Directions in 2011 and in her current role she manages day to day client needs, executes client projects, participates in food industry coalitions, and monitors all activities in the food space. She previously has worked in public relations for Edelman and GolinHarris as well as for the National Restaurant Association where she maintained issue expertise for their Food and Healthy Living program and communicated the Association’s position on emerging nutrition public policy issues to key stakeholders. Gentile earned a registered dietitian credential and master’s from Loyola University in Chicago and an undergraduate degree in Dietetics from Miami University. Gentile lives on Capitol Hill in DC with her husband and three daughters.
Allison Graham, MS, RD
Vice President, Food & Nutrition Policy at Food Directions
Allie Graham joined Food Directions in 2019 as the Director of Food Policy and Regulatory Affairs. Allie manages client’s policy and regulatory priorities for food, nutrition and food labeling. Until August 2019, she worked as a Science and Regulatory Manager at Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA, now Consumer Brands Association) supporting the development and implementation of domestic/international food labeling standards and nutrition policy positions. Prior to GMA, Allie earned her Master’s degree in Nutrition with a focus on Global Nutrition Education at University of New Haven in Connecticut and trained as a Registered Dietitian at Yale New Haven Hospital. Allie is also a trained chef; completing her Bachelor’s degree in Culinary Nutrition at Johnson & Wales University in Rhode Island in 2015. Allie lives in DC.
Alison W. Stryker, MS, RD
Director of Food Policy, Research + Insights
Ali Stryker joined Food Directions in 2018 and is the current Director of Food and Nutrition Policy. She monitors all policy updates and news, attends public meetings and conferences, and assists on client projects and company research. Ali also manages food and menu labeling projects at Food Directions and works closely with clients to determine and meet all of their labeling needs. Ali was the DC Area 2020 Young Dietitian of the Year. Ali lives in Pennsylvania with her husband.
Alexis Settineri
Senior Food Policy Manager
Alexis Settineri is Senior Food Policy Manager at Food Directions. She previously served as Manager of Communications at the American Frozen Food Institute (AFFI) where she helped communicate regulatory, scientific, and retail market insights to help the frozen food industry make better business decisions. Alexis earned her undergraduate degrees in nutritional sciences and Spanish from The Pennsylvania State University. Alexis currently lives in DC and enjoys outdoor adventures and learning musical instruments.
Alexa Smith
Food Policy Manager
Alexa Smith joined Food Directions in 2022 as a Food Policy Intern before quickly rising to a full-time role as a Food Policy Associate, turned Food Policy Manager. She previously served as Lead Project Coordinator for the Culinary Nutrition Depot program at Miami University. Alexa assists with monitoring policy updates and news, developing newsletters, maintaining social media, and assisting with client projects. She earned her undergraduate degree in Kinesiology and Health with a Public Health and Nutrition concentration from Miami University. Alexa currently lives in Chicago, Illinois and enjoys traveling and playing beach volleyball.