The U.S. Department of Agriculture, or USDA, enforces standards for the quality of meat, poultry and eggs. The USDA also conducts nutrition research and educates the public about nutrition. The USDA works closely with the Food and Drug Administration and food processing industries to prevent food-borne illnesses.
Farmers and Ranchers Assistance
Farmers and ranchers who raise your food face uncertainties in the weather and in the marketplace. The USDA supports farmers and ranchers by delivering assistance programs involving commodities, credit and conservation. The USDA helps improve the economy and quality of life in rural America daily as well as in disasters and emergencies.
Consumer Services
The USDA coordinates research on the nutrition needs of consumers. It works to end hunger and improve health in the United States by managing the country's agricultural abundance. The USDA also develops science-based dietary guidance and nutrition education as well as helping to set nutrition policy.
Food Programs
If you or your children need assistance with access to nutritious food, the USDA has many programs available for you. Among them is the Food Stamp Program that provided assistance to more than 43 million people at a cost of $56 billion in 2009, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. The Food Distribution Program distributes surplus food to eligible schools, institutions and persons. The National School Lunch Program provides a nutritional lunch at a reasonable cost to school children. The Child Care Food Program provides meal service for children in full-time day care centers, Head Start programs and after school care programs.
The Special Milk Program reduces the cost of milk to children or provides it free. The Summer Food Service Program for Children provides free lunches to children during the summer. The School Breakfast Program provides a low-cost, nutritious breakfast to school children. The Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, or WIC, improves the nutritional status of pregnant and lactating women and children under 5 years of age in low-income areas.
Food Labeling
Examine the labeling and packaging on meat, poultry and eggs as you shop for groceries, and you will notice how the USDA ensures that foods under its responsibility are properly labeled and packaged. A new rule, effective January 1, 2012, calls for nutrition facts panels on package labels of 40 of the most popular cuts of meat and poultry products. This new information will help consumers make informed decisions as they try to follow the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and USDA's dietary guidelines.
Marketing and Regulation
The USDA ensures the health and care of plants and animals, helps set international and national standards and facilitates domestic and international marketing of U.S. agricultural products.
Natural Resources
The USDA uses sustainable management to ensure the health of the land by preventing damage to natural resources and the environment and promoting land management.
References
- "Understanding Nutrition, Ninth Edition"; Eleanor Noss Whitney and Sharon Rady Rolfes; 2002
- USDA: Mission Areas
- "Krause's Food, Nutrition, & Diet Therapy, 10th Edition"; Mahan and Escott-Stump; 2000
- The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities: Basics: Introduction to the Food Stamp Program
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