The Plantrician Project and Vitamix Foundation Present the Inaugural John Barnard Uplifting Communities Award
The John Barnard Award for Uplifting Communities stands as a testament to retired, long-time Vitamix CEO, John Barnard’s enduring commitment to plant-based nutrition and community health. This award amplifies his vision, celebrating leaders building like-minded legacies in their communities to make plant-based, whole-food solutions accessible, empowering communities to thrive.
The award is a partnership of The Plantrician Project and the Vitamix Foundation.
The Plantrician Project and the Vitamix Foundation are proud to announce the launch of the John Barnard Uplifting Communities Award, a new honor recognizing exceptional leaders who are transforming communities through plant-based nutrition and lifestyle medicine. Named in honor of John Barnard, retired long-time CEO of Vitamix and founding member of the Vitamix Foundation Board of Directors, this award celebrates individuals who have demonstrated outstanding dedication to improving community health, particularly in underserved communities.
Celebrating Visionary Leadership in Community Health
John Barnard’s legacy is rooted in a deep commitment to advancing the accessibility of plant-based whole food nutrition. This award amplifies his vision by recognizing and supporting leaders who are actively driving change in their communities, working to eliminate health disparities, and creating a lasting impact through education, advocacy, and innovation.
The award recipient will receive:
A $25,000 grant to expand their plant-based community initiatives.
A co-branded award commemorating their contributions.
Professional development opportunities, including travel and recognition at two national conferences.
A feature profile in The Plantrician Project and Vitamix Foundation publications, as well as the International Journal of Disease Reversal and Prevention.
Opportunities to collaborate with The Plantrician Project and Vitamix Foundation to further their mission.
Honorees for this award demonstrate:
Community Impact: Demonstrated, measurable improvements in community health through plant-based initiatives.
Years of Service: A track record of at least two years of dedicated work in whole food, plant-based nutrition and lifestyle medicine.
Commitment to Underserved Communities – Initiatives focused on bridging gaps in nutrition access and reducing health disparities.
Leadership & Innovation: A proven ability to inspire, lead, and implement meaningful change.
Collaboration & Connectivity: Efforts to build networks and partnerships that amplify community impact.
A selection committee composed of experts from The Plantrician Project and the Vitamix Foundation carefully reviews all nominations, and the 2026 nomination process will open in the fall of 2025.
To learn more or register your interest, please contact [email protected]
Join Us in Honoring a Community Changemaker
The recipient of the 2025 John Barnard Uplifting Communities Award will be publicly announced at the Int’l Plant-Based Nutrition Healthcare Conference (PBNHC) in September 2025, where their outstanding work and impact will be celebrated. They will also be recognized at the Health Equity Lifestyle Project (HELP) Conference in October 2025.
About The Plantrician Project
The Plantrician Project is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to promoting whole food, plant-based nutrition for both human and planetary health. Its mission is to educate, equip, empower, and unite healthcare practitioners, educators, and students to advocate for this dietary pattern, recognizing its benefits in preventing and reversing diet-related diseases. The Plantrician Project focuses on building a network of healthcare professionals who are competent and committed to incorporating plant-based nutrition into their practice to better serve their patients.
www.plantricianproject.org
About the Vitamix Foundation
The Vitamix Foundation is a nonprofit, grantmaking organization established by Vitamix to help shape a nation where diet-driven illness does not exist. Its mission is to collaborate and partner with others to further the knowledge, consumption, and enjoyment of plant-based whole foods. Grantmaking focuses on advancing nutrition science, knowledge, and innovation to improve maternal and child health outcomes by increasing access to plant-based whole foods, evidence-based nutrition education, and the resources to ensure sustainable and scalable change for families and future generations. www.vitamixfoundation.org.
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