Now that the school year has started, everyone is abuzz about the healthier meals being served at schools all over the country. As a result of the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, starting this fall, school meals are featuring more whole grains, both fruits and vegetables at every meal, and less sodium and trans fat. Portion sizes are adjusted for age, among other improvements.
As a result, you may have questions like:
What kinds of new foods will my child’s school offer?
What prompted the changes?
What can I do to help my child eat healthier at home? Read more »
Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan, hosts a live Twitter chat focused on the Department’s support of local and regional food systems and the recent release of the 2.0 version of the Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food Compass on Tuesday, July 24, 2012, in Washington, D.C.
When we first launched the Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food Compass in February, we knew you would use this digital record to explore USDA’s work on local and regional food. And you have. Read more »
Based on the overwhelming participation in our recent Google + Hangout, we know you have lots of questions about local food in your community and what USDA can do to help. Some of your questions may be like these:
I’m in Wisconsin and know USDA funded a grocery store featuring local food in Connecticut. How can I find out more?
How many local food projects does USDA fund in Wyoming?
I live in Maine. Who grows local produce in the winter here?
Where is the closest food hub that can help me with distributing my produce into my local school? Read more »
Did you know USDA brings Thanksgiving dinner to our troops serving abroad?
Did you know that USDA is responsible for fabric testing, including creating flame-retardant finishes used on products like firefighters’ uniforms and military clothing and children’s pajamas?
Did you know 1 in 5 Americans drink H2O that originated on a national forest?
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Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack responds to questions, with the assistance of Office of Communications Director of Web Communications Amanda Eamich, during the first Virtual Office hours live "Twitter" session held at the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Washington, D.C., on Thursday, April 4, 2012. USDA photo by Lance Cheung.
In the fast paced technology world there are a lot of firsts coming at us all the time. But if you had told me that I’d be present for the first ever USDA Virtual Office Hours on April 5, 2012, in our 150th year, I assure you I never would have believed you. The event allowed USDA, a department President Lincoln referred to as the People’s Department –– to reach hundreds of thousands of people, 140 characters at a time. What really struck me was how many insightful questions came in about energy and USDA, and, in particular, one that was asked on our Facebook page shortly before the hour long chat.
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Do you have an interest in U.S. energy policy? Are you in the ag sector looking for options in renewable energy? Here’s your chance to ask USDA!
On Thursday, April 5 at 1:30pm ET, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack himself will sit down for 45 minutes to answer YOUR questions on the Department’s renewable energy programs, and how USDA is helping build a secure energy future for America. Just submit them to the @USDA Twitter account using the hashtag #AskUSDA. Read more »
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