Legal Definitions - Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Service

The Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Service (FNS) is an agency within the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Its primary mission is to reduce hunger and improve the health and well-being of Americans, especially children and low-income individuals. FNS accomplishes this by administering federal programs that provide access to nutritious food and by educating people about healthy eating practices.

Here are some examples illustrating the work of the Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Service:

• Example 1: A family of four, experiencing temporary unemployment, applies for and receives monthly benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). These benefits allow them to purchase groceries like fresh produce, lean meats, and dairy products from their local supermarket.

  Explanation: This scenario directly demonstrates FNS's role in providing access to food for needy people through a major assistance program, helping to reduce hunger and ensure families can afford nutritious meals during difficult times.

• Example 2: An elementary school in an underserved urban area participates in the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program. This ensures that all students, regardless of their family's income, have access to free or reduced-price nutritious meals during the school day, including options like whole grains, fruits, and vegetables.

  Explanation: This illustrates how FNS works to reduce hunger and promote healthy diets among children by supporting school-based meal programs, ensuring that students have the nutrition they need to learn and thrive.

• Example 3: A new mother visits a local clinic where she enrolls in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). Through WIC, she receives vouchers for specific healthy foods like milk, eggs, and infant formula, and also attends a workshop on healthy eating for toddlers and the benefits of breastfeeding.

  Explanation: This example showcases FNS's dual function of providing targeted food access (through WIC vouchers) and educating vulnerable populations, such as new mothers and young children, about healthy diets and nutrition, thereby improving their overall health and development.