United States Department of Agriculture

Abraham Lincoln called the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) the “people’s department” because the Department’s work was so closely tied to the American people, most of whom were farmers at the time. One hundred and thirty six years later, USDA’s scope is much broader, but improving people’s lives remains the core of its success. Everyone with an interest in good nutrition, food safety, and the health of the American landscape has a stake in USDA’s programs and activities.

The mission of meeting the needs of the American people is carried out by USDA’s numerous agencies and offices, from the Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion, located in the mission area of Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services, to agencies, such as the Food Safety and Inspection Service, the Agricultural Research Service, Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service, and many more. USDA has stewardship of 192 million acres of national forest land, fights hunger at home and abroad, supports land-grant colleges and universities, and battles against bugs, pests, and diseases that threaten American agriculture and ecosystems. USDA has responsibilities for protecting, promoting and evaluating the production and consumption of American agriculture. It ensures that agricultural products imported and produced for domestic distribution in commerce are safe, wholesome, and accurately labeled.
USDA Mission Statement: To provide leadership on food, agriculture, natural resources, rural development and related issues based on sound public policy, the best available science, and efficient management.
 

USDA Vision Statement: To be a dynamic organization that is able to enhance agricultural trade, improve farm economies and quality of life in rural America, protect the Nation’s food supply, improve the Nation’s nutrition, and protect and enhance the Nation’s natural resource base and environment.

Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services (FNCS)

As one of the mission areas of USDA, the Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services (FNCS) ensures access to nutritious, healthful diets for all Americans. Through food assistance and nutrition education for consumers, FNCS encourages Americans to make healthful food choices. FNCS consists of two agencies: the Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion (CNPP) and the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS).


The Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion (CNPP)

The USDA Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion (CNPP) works to improve the health of Americans by developing and promoting dietary guidance that links the best evidence-based scientific research to the nutrition needs of consumers. CNPP is committed to producing real results for real people by promoting the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and through promoting and communicating Federal Nutrition Guidance. To accomplish these goals, CNPP advances consumer messages that assist the American public and supports the use of the MyPyramid food guidance system that can be personalized for individuals to reach their dietary goals. These key actions will improve the population’s nutritional status and health; creating real results. CNPP’s mission, vision, goals, priorities, and values exemplify its commitment to performance that meets the needs of the American public; reaching real people.

CNPP carries out its mission to improve the health of Americans by (1) advancing and promoting food and nutrition guidance for all Americans; (2) assessing diet quality; and (3) advancing consumer, nutrition, and food economic knowledge. Click here to learn about the major projects administered by CNPP.


Food and Nutrition Service

The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) increases food security and reduces hunger in partnership with cooperating organizations by providing children and low-income people access to food, a healthful diet, and nutrition education in a manner that supports American agriculture and inspires public confidence. USDA’s 15 nutrition assistance programs are the first line of our Nation’s defense against hunger. They include large, well-known programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (Food Stamps), the school meal programs, and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) as well as many smaller programs.

 

For more information, contact:

  Julia M. Dinkins, PhD
  Program Administration Specialist
  cnppstudentprogram@cnpp.usda.gov
  703-305-7600
 

Last Modified: 09/10/2009