Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services
Encyclopedia
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 Program
s, 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).
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. 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.
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
. The current Under Secretary is Kevin Concannon.
Under Secretary
-In the United Kingdom:*Under-secretary*Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State*Under-Secretary of State for India*Under-Secretary of State for Scotland*Under-Secretary for Ireland*Under-Secretary of State for War and the Colonies*Under-Secretary of State for War...
for Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services is a position created within the United States Department of Agriculture
United States Department of Agriculture
The United States Department of Agriculture is the United States federal executive department responsible for developing and executing U.S. federal government policy on farming, agriculture, and food...
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
Food Stamp Program
The United States Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program , historically and commonly known as the Food Stamp Program, is a federal-assistance program that provides assistance to low- and no-income people and families living in the U.S. Though the program is administered by the U.S. Department of...
, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children
Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children
The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children is a Federal assistance program of the Food and Nutrition Service of the United States Department of Agriculture for healthcare and nutrition of low-income pregnant women, breastfeeding women, and infants and children...
, the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Program
School Breakfast Program
The School Breakfast Program provides federally subsidized breakfasts to children in schools and child care facilities. Permanently authorized by the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 . Federal funding is provided in the form of cash reimbursements for each breakfast served, varied in amount by the...
s, and the Commodity Distribution Programs. In addition, the Undersecretary oversees the Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion
Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion
The Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion is an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture created on December 1, 1994, and is the focal point within the USDA where scientific research is linked with the nutritional needs of the American public....
, which leads the development of dietary guidelines and which promotes the guidelines through the Food Guide Pyramid
MyPyramid
MyPyramid, released by the United States Department of Agriculture on April 19, 2005, is an update on the American food guide pyramid that was used until June 2, 2011, when the USDA's MyPlate replaced it. The icon stresses activity and moderation along with a proper mix of food groups in one's diet...
(MyPyramid.gov).
Goals of the Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services include combatting obesity
Obesity
Obesity is a medical condition in which excess body fat has accumulated to the extent that it may have an adverse effect on health, leading to reduced life expectancy and/or increased health problems...
, promoting better eating and physical activity habits, and helping needy families obtain a nutritious diet. According to The New York Times
The New York Times
The New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
, the nutrition segment of the Department of Agriculture received 53% of the Department's budget at the time of the creation of the position.
The Under Secretary is appointed by the President
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
and confirmed by the United States Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
. He manages the Food and Nutrition Services and the Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion
Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion
The Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion is an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture created on December 1, 1994, and is the focal point within the USDA where scientific research is linked with the nutritional needs of the American public....
. The current Under Secretary is Kevin Concannon.
List of Under Secretaries
- Kevin Concannon is the current Under Secretary and was confirmed in July 2009.
- Nancy Montanez JohnerNancy Montanez JohnerNancy Montanez Johner is the incumbent Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services within the United States Department of Agriculture. She was sworn in on August 21, 2006. Prior to her appointment, she had been the Director of the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services...
who served from August 21, 2006, to 2009 - Eric M. BostEric M. BostEric M. Bost is the former United States Ambassador to South Africa. He was sworn in as U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of South Africa by President George W. Bush on July 20, 2006 after being confirmed by the U.S. Senate as Ambassador on June 29. Ambassador Bost presented his credentials to South...
, who served from June 18, 2001 until July 20, 2006, - Shirley Robinson Watkins, who served from 1997 to 2001, and
- Ellen Haas, who served from 1993 to 1997.
- Mary Ann Keeffe served as Acting Under Secretary between administrations. The position was created on September 7, 1993, when Secretary of Agriculture Mike EspyMike EspyAlphonso Michael "Mike" Espy is a former United States political figure. From 1987 to 1993, he served in the U.S. House of Representatives from Mississippi. He served as the Secretary of Agriculture from 1993 to 1994. He was the first African American Secretary of Agriculture...
announced that title of Assistant Secretary of Agriculture for Food and Consumer Services would be elevated to the present Under Secretary of Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services title.