The Center for Nutritional Sciences was created in 1985 on a directive from the UF President, to support a campus-wide initiative to bring together scientists and faculty from multiple disciplines whose research and academic interests include nutrition. UF competed nationally for funding for the Center and was successful in obtaining a Center of Excellence Award through the Pew Charitable Trusts’ National Nutrition Program which promoted initial funding.

The mission of the Center is to help in facilitating the University of Florida's nutrition activities related to instruction, research, and public service.

The Center capitalizes on the breadth of academic and research programs represented by four colleges at UF, including 11 departments and nearly 30 internationally respected faculty.  The Center therefore provides an exciting environment to explore most aspects of the nutrition field. Since its founding, the Center supports a vibrant campus-wide seminar series, providing an important learning resource for graduate students, and postdoctoral trainees. The Center also coordinates student travel awards, stipend supplements and alumni contacts for the interdisciplinary doctoral degree program in nutritional sciences.