Founded in 1917, ADA's nearly 69,000 members in the US and abroad help shape the food choices and impact the nutritional status of the public. The membership includes dietitians, dietetic technicians, students, and others holding baccalaureate and advanced degrees in nutrition and dietetics.

To provide members with career strategies that will enable them to prosper in the next century, all ADA activities evolve from the 1996-2000 Strategic Framework, 'Creating the Future,' and its three initiatives focusing on Policy (ADA seeks reimbursement for comprehensive nutrition services), Member (ADA members will be competitive and well-positioned for advancement in a continually changing environment), and the Public (ADA and its members will be recognized by the public as the most valued and credible source of scientifically-based food and nutrition information).