Blog

From the beginning of the Biden-Harris administration, Secretary Vilsack has challenged our team to rethink USDA initiatives from an indigenous perspective. One of the most important things we do at USDA is publish the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGAs) with our partners at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). These evidence-based nutrition guidelines are informed by recommendations from a committee of nutrition science experts and updated every five years.

Last month, 350 SNAP Employment and Training, or E&T, state agencies and other partners from across the country gathered for the 2022 SNAP E&T National Forum in Alexandria, VA. Deputy Under Secretary for USDA’s Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services, Stacy Dean, opened the conference with an important reminder, sharing:

We recently observed the Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. I feel that USDA’s Risk Management Agency helps to advance the dream of Dr. King in our support of the 1890 National Scholars Program, and the Risk Management Education Program, among other initiatives.

USDA’s Office of Tribal Relations is excited about the Department’s new investments through Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities. We’re investing a total of $3.1 billion in 141 projects. More than 20 tribes and tribal groups across the nation are partnering in many of these projects.

In the field and at organic organizations across the U.S., students grew new career skills in summer 2022.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) are excited to announce the members of the 2025 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee! The Committee will review the current body of nutrition science and make recommendations to help guide HHS and USDA as they develop the 10th edition of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

As of December 2022, United States and Mexico are celebrating 200 years of bilateral relations. Over these two hundred years, our nations have developed rich diplomatic and cultural ties where agriculture and trade considerations feature a prominent role.

These days, many Virginia families are finding the search for reasonably priced housing to be a puzzle about as easy to solve as the infamous Rubik’s Cube. When they try to match up the four sides of location, cost, terms and financing, the “colors” just don’t align.

Last month, USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) released the results of the 2021 Certified Organic Survey. The data showed a continued upward trend in the organic industry since 2008, when organic data collection first began.

Prior to becoming the Food and Nutrition Service Administrator at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, I spent many years with USDA working in the child nutrition space. I quickly became passionate about my work, recognizing that school meals are critical to children’s success in school and their overall health and well-being. It motivated me then and even more now in my role as Administrator. In this role, I am committed to doing everything possible to ensure children get nutritious meals on a consistent basis, so they can do better in school and support the development of healthy eating habits which sets them up for success!