CARROtS Collaborative
Veggie Meter® Forum
Twice-yearly virtual forums where collaborative members share research, troubleshoot methods, and build new connections across institutions.
Most recent forum
Recording available
Summer 2026 Veggie Meter® Forum
Date
June 25, 2026
Time
1:00–3:00 PM EST
Next forum
December 2026 (details coming)
This forum featured two mini sessions on using the Veggie Meter® in community settings, followed by open discussion of hot topics and next steps for the collaborative.
Presentations
Carmen Byker Shanks, PhD, RDN
Director of Scientific Strategy, Center for Nutrition & Health Impact
Discussed her recently published work: "Application and Adaptation of the Veggie Meter® in Community-Based Settings: A Mixed Methods Study."
Kevin Pietro, PhD & June Tenfelde
Assistant Professor and Director of Dietetics Education Programs, Loyola University Chicago
Presented preliminary findings from a pilot study of 413 gym members examining methodological variability in Veggie Meter® skin carotenoid measurements, including differences by hand dominance, adiposity, smoking status, and supplement use.
Past forums
Watch recordings on YouTube
All past Veggie Meter® Forum sessions are recorded and posted on the CARROtS Collaborative YouTube channel.
What to expect
Forum format
Each forum follows a consistent format designed to maximize participation and discussion. Here is what a typical session looks like.
1
Welcome & housekeeping
Brief introductions, Zoom setup (name editing, muting, chat box instructions), and agenda overview.
2
Announcements
Updates on the website, new publications, collaborative initiatives, and calls for participation.
3
Research presentations
Two or more mini sessions featuring collaborative members presenting current work. Questions are taken via the chat box during presentations.
4
Hot topics discussion
Open discussion of methodological questions, emerging findings, and challenges that arise with the Veggie Meter® and carotenoid research more broadly.
5
Next steps & wrap-up
Discussion of collaborative priorities, upcoming opportunities, and plans for the next forum.
For presenters
What to include in your presentation
To support methodological comparability across studies, all presenters are asked to report the following details. These help the collaborative identify sources of variability and build toward standardized approaches.
Veggie Meter® year & model number
Report the specific year and model of the Veggie Meter® device(s) used in your study.
Finger used for scans
Specify which finger was used to conduct scans. The standardized protocol recommends the nondominant ring finger.
Scan mode
Indicate the scan mode used: single scan, triplicate scan producing a single score, multiple individual scans, or another approach.
Protocol deviations
Consider and highlight any differences between your methods and the Radtke et al. (2021) standardized protocol. There is no "wrong" approach — the goal is transparency.
Scale & scoring
Report the scale used to interpret scores and how you communicated results to participants, if applicable.
Study population
Describe your study population, including age range, setting (clinical, community, school, etc.), and any relevant demographic characteristics.
Join us for the next forum
All researchers using or interested in skin carotenoid measurement are welcome. Join the listserv to get notified about upcoming forums.
Email to join the listserv