Skip to main content
Skip to main content

Food Systems


USDA Helps Alaskan Communities Meet Sustainable Food System Goals

August 22, 2023 Mariela Castaneda, Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement

In Alaska, where most food is imported, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is helping local Alaskans and Alaska Natives grow their own fresh food. As a 2022 recipient of a USDA 2501 grant, the Kodiak Archipelago Leadership Institute (KALI) is expanding access to USDA programs and connecting...

Equity Farming

USDA’s Climate-Smart Research Investments in our Communities and in our Planet

April 22, 2022 Casey C. Keel, Public Affairs Specialist, Research, Education, and Economics

As we celebrate this Earth Day, we want to share a few examples of USDA’s commitment to climate-smart research and scientific investments.

Research and Science

USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service Helps Global Efforts to Reduce Food Loss and Waste: An Interview with Paige Cowie

March 22, 2021 Jean Buzby, USDA Food Loss and Waste Liaison

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) links U.S. agriculture to the world to enhance export opportunities and global food security. Globally, food waste is estimated at 1.6 billion tonnes and arises from many causes from farm to table. In developing countries...

Food and Nutrition

Addressing Hunger Through Local and Regional Food Systems

May 10, 2011 Luke Knowles, Marketing and Regulatory Programs

In 2009, 14.7% of U.S. households were insecure, meaning that at some point during the year these households were uncertain of having, or unable to obtain, enough food. In addition to tracking and reporting on hunger in the United States, USDA plays a significant role in helping families acquire...

Food and Nutrition Farming

Detroit’s Eastern Market: A Food Hub in a Food Desert

December 17, 2010 Debbie Tropp, Branch Chief, Farmers Market and Direct Market Research Branch, AMS

Look up Wayne County, Michigan, home to Detroit, in USDA’s Food Environment Atlas and it is obvious that local residents have some significant challenges in accessing healthful food. An alarmingly high number of households that lack a car in Wayne County are located further than one mile from the...

Food and Nutrition Farming

Oklahoma Food Co-Op: From Buying Club to Food Hub

December 16, 2010 Adam Diamond, Agricultural Marketing Specialist, AMS

One afternoon in the fall of 2003, 36 consumers and several volunteers gathered in the basement of an Oklahoma City church to sort and purchase products from twenty local producers. They generated $3,500 in sales, and the opening day of the Oklahoma Food Coop (OFC) was determined to have been a...

Health and Safety Food and Nutrition Farming
Subscribe to Food Systems

AskUSDA

One central entry point for you to access information and help from USDA.