Under Secretary of Agriculture for Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services

The Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services is a position created within the United States Department of Agriculture in 1993, and is responsible for administrating the Department's fifteen nutrition and food security programs and for promoting the dietary guidelines.

The food assistance programs have a combined budget of $170.5 billion and include the Food Stamp Program, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs, and the Commodity Distribution Programs. In addition, the Undersecretary oversees the Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion, which leads the development of dietary guidelines and which promotes the guidelines through the Food Guide Pyramid (MyPyramid.gov).[1]

Goals of the Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services include combatting obesity, promoting better eating and physical activity habits, and helping needy families obtain a nutritious diet.[1] According to The New York Times, the nutrition segment of the Department of Agriculture received 53% of the Department's budget at the time of the creation of the position.[2]

The Under Secretary is appointed by the President and confirmed by the United States Senate. He manages the Food and Nutrition Services and the Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion.[3] The current Under Secretary is Kevin Concannon.

List of Under Secretaries

References

  1. 1 2 "2009 Performance and Accountability Report" (PDF). Retrieved August 20, 2010.
  2. 1 2 3 Burros, Marian (September 8, 1993). "Agriculture Dept. Is Putting More Emphasis on Nutrition". The New York Times.
  3. "US CODE: Title 7,6951. Under Secretary of Agriculture for Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services". Retrieved September 21, 2007.
  4. "Bio of Kevin Concannon". Retrieved June 4, 2010.
  5. "Nancy Montanez Johner Biographies". Retrieved September 21, 2007.
  6. "Bost, Eric M.". Archived from the original on September 12, 2007. Retrieved September 21, 2007.
  7. "PRESIDENT NAMES SHIRLEY ROBINSON WATKINS TO BE UNDER SECRETARY". Retrieved September 21, 2007.
  8. "USDA NEWS\VOL 60 NO. 5\Roundup\E. Bost". Retrieved September 21, 2007.
  9. "Fast Weight Loss, Childhood Obesity & Low Fat Diets - Biographies". Retrieved September 21, 2007.
  10. "USDANEWS/Editor's Roundup/Shirley Watkins". Retrieved September 21, 2007.
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