Asumendi Fillmore, Colleen
Dr. Colleen Asumendi Fillmore is the Idaho State Director for the Child Nutrition Programs. She has received her PhD in Adult Education and is a Registered and Licensed Dietitian from the American Dietetic Association. She recently completed her dissertation on Dietary Diversity: How Cultural Traditions in Ethnic Communities affect our School Programs focusing on the unique ethnic group, the Basque. Boise, Idaho has the largest Basque population in North American, making this populace a perfect sample for this research project. She is currently working with the Boise Idaho Basque community in different aspects including providing tours of the Boise Basque Block area to visitors from all over the world.
During the process of examining and analyzing dietary data related to the Boise Basque community it was discovered heritage, customs and traditions were at the core explanation of the behaviors observed. When the Boise Basque community diet was analyzed it became apparent the behaviors identified were symbolic of foods consumed for hundreds of years connected often by stories, traditions, folklore, ways of life, beliefs, surroundings and the country where they resided.
Dr. Fillmore has worked in the USDA Child Nutrition Programs for twenty five years at both the school district level as a Director and at the State Agency level. Her passion has been to bring the teachings of dietary cultural behavior together with the Child Nutrition Programs. Once the actions have been explored and understood recommendations or interventions can be considered.
