Washington, D.C. – The CRN Foundation and the National Association of Free and Charitable Clinics (NAFC) today formally announced their partnership 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.
Launched in late 2024, the Access Initiative chose NAFC as its inaugural national partner in recognition of the organization’s unparalleled reach and impact—serving 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. “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:
- Nutrawise Health & Beauty (youtheory), a division of Jamieson Wellness contributed a product donation valued at nearly $2 million.
- Nestlé Health Science Foundation awarded a $25,000 grant to support NAFC’s programs.
- Vitaquest is launching its VQ CARES program with the development of the VitaQ premium multivitamin, donating $500,000 worth of product annually. The company is also working to further multiply the impact by providing free turnkey supplement manufacturing with industry suppliers who contribute raw materials. Together, these efforts will deliver high-quality dietary supplements to NAFC communities —entirely free of charge.
Tara Martin, Senior Vice President, General Counsel of Jamieson Wellness and former Chair of the CRN Board of Directors, emphasized the impact of the initiative: “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.”
Patrick Brueggman, CEO, Vitaquest International: “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.”
Ariana Gordillo De Vivero, Senior Director of Strategic Initiatives at NAFC, added: “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.”
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 compassionate, patient-centered 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 percent of whom fall below 250 percent of 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. By providing essential supplements, the Access Initiative helps fill this critical gap in care.
The CRN Foundation’s Access Initiative is a long-term commitment to closing nutritional gaps for vulnerable populations through strategic partnerships, product donations, and educational resources. More information about the initiative is available at crnusa.org/NAFC.
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About the CRN Foundation
The CRN Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides consumers and healthcare practitioners with science-based information on the benefits of dietary supplements and functional food. Through education and outreach initiatives, the Foundation promotes responsible use of nutritional products to improve public health and wellness.
About the National Association of Free and Charitable Clinics (NAFC)
The National Association of Free and Charitable Clinics (NAFC) is the only nonprofit 501c(3) organization whose mission is solely focused on the issues and needs of the uninsured and underinsured throughout the nation and the more than 1,400 Free and Charitable Clinics and Pharmacies that serve them. The NAFC has earned the Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar and a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator. Founded in 2001 and headquartered near Washington, D.C., the NAFC is working towards healthy communities for all through quality, equitable, accessible healthcare. For more information about the NAFC, please visit www.nafcclinics.org.
