Food Assistance and Nutrition
Education
The Food,
Nutrition, and Consumer Service (FNCS) ensures
access to nutritious, healthful diets for
all Americans. Through food assistance
and nutrition education for consumers,
FNCS encourages consumers to make healthful
food choices. Today, rather than simply
providing food, FNCS works to empower consumers
with knowledge of the link between diet
and health, providing dietary guidance
based on research.
The USDA 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.
The Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion
(CNPP) was created in the U.S. Department
of Agriculture on December 1, 1994. It is
the focal point within USDA where scientific
research is linked with the nutritional needs
of the public.
The FNCS administers the Child
and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP),
which offers free and reduced meals for
after-school programs. NIFA partners
with FNCS to conduct training workshops
and connect field staff to appropriate
FNCS staff at local and state levels so
that child care and after-school programs
will access these resources.
Healthy meals and snacks are critical to
the development of children and youth and
their ability to concentrate on learning.
In addition, food costs are a major portion
of the budget for a child care or after-school
program. The CACFP helps make child care
and after-school programs more affordable
by subsidizing part of the food cost, while
providing nutritious food that is critical
to development and learning.
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