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 administering the department's fifteen nutrition and food security programs and for promoting the dietary guidelines. <7 CFR § 2.19> 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 MyPlate.

Under Secretary of Agriculture for Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services
Incumbent Kumar Chandran Acting  since January 16, 2024
USDA
Abbreviation	FNCS
Member of	Cabinet
Reports to	US Secretary of Agriculture
Appointer	The President with Senate advice and consent
Precursor	Assistant Secretary of Agriculture for Food and Consumer Services
Formation	1993
First holder	Ellen Haas
Deputy	Deputy Under Secretary of Agriculture for FNCS

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. The Under Secretary manages the Food and Nutrition Services and the Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion. President Trump did not nominate anyone for that position for the first three years of his presidency. He announced his intent to nominate Brandon Lipps in December 2019, and forwarded his nomination to the Senate on January 6, 2020. His nomination was never confirmed. On February 16, 2023, President Biden appointed Stacy Dean for this Deputy Under Secretary position.

List of Under Secretaries

Stacy Dean, announced February 16, 2023.

• Former Under Secretary Ellen Haas
• Former Under Secretary Nancy Montanez Johner
• Former Under Secretary Eric M. Bost
• Former Under Secretary Kevin Concannon

• Brandon Lipps was Acting Deputy Under Secretary, announced on July 19, 2017.
• who was confirmed in July 2009.
• Nancy Montanez Johner who served from August 21, 2006, to 2009
• Eric M. Bost, who served from June 18, 2001, until July 20, 2006,
• , who served from 1997 to 2001, and
• , who served from 1993 to 1997.
• served as Acting Under Secretary between administrations. The position was created on September 7, 1993, when Secretary of Agriculture Mike Espy announced that the 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.

References

1. "U.S. Department of Agriculture Announces Senior Staff Appointments". USDA.gov. January 16, 2024. Retrieved February 21, 2025.
2. "2009 Performance and Accountability Report" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on July 7, 2010. Retrieved August 20, 2010.
3. Burros, Marian (September 8, 1993). "Agriculture Dept. Is Putting More Emphasis on Nutrition". The New York Times.
4. "US CODE: Title 7,6 <951. Under Secretary of Agriculture for Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services". Retrieved September 21, 2007.
5. "Trump refers to Lipps in discussion of nominees". The Fence Post. April 16, 2020. Archived from the original on January 21, 2021. Retrieved January 5, 2021.
6. "Deputy Under Secretary | Food and Nutrition Service". www.fns.usda.gov. Archived from the original on May 22, 2024. Retrieved June 8, 2024.
7. "Secretary Perdue Announces New Leadership for Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services". www.usda.gov. Archived from the original on July 25, 2019. Retrieved July 25, 2019.
8. "Bio of Kevin Concannon". Archived from the original on July 10, 2010. Retrieved June 4, 2010.
9. "Nancy Montanez Johner Biographies". Archived from the original on March 16, 2008. Retrieved September 21, 2007.
10. "Bost, Eric M." Archived from the original on February 5, 2009. Retrieved September 21, 2007.
11. "PRESIDENT NAMES SHIRLEY ROBINSON WATKINS TO BE UNDER SECRETARY". Archived from the original on October 4, 2006. Retrieved September 21, 2007.
12. "USDA NEWS\VOL 60 NO. 5\Roundup\E. Bost". Archived from the original on October 3, 2006. Retrieved September 21, 2007.
13. "Fast Weight Loss, Childhood Obesity & Low Fat Diets – Biographies". Archived from the original on September 28, 2007. Retrieved September 21, 2007.
14. "USDANEWS/Editor's Roundup/Shirley Watkins". Archived from the original on October 4, 2006. Retrieved September 21, 2007.