Food, Nutrition, & Agriculture

Gateways
Food & Food Safety
Nutrition
Agriculture
Statistics
Policy
Educational Resources

Gateways

National Agricultural Library http://www.nal.usda.gov/
The National Agricultural Library is one of four national libraries of the United States and houses one of the World's largest and most accessible agricultural information collections.
You can search AGRICOLA, the library’s catalog http://agricola.nal.usda.gov/
Or browse information centers including alternative farming systems, animal welfare, food & nutrition, food safety, invasive species, rural and water quality.
http://riley.nal.usda.gov/nal_display/index.php?info_center=8&tax_level=1&tax_subject=159

Food Safety http://www.foodsafety.gov/
A gateway to government food safety information where you can also find relevant state agencies.

United States Department of Agriculture http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usdahome
The USDA’s mission is to provide leadership on food, agriculture, natural resources, and related issues based on sound public policy, the best available science, and efficient management.

New York State Department of Agriculture & Markets http://www.agmkt.state.ny.us/

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations http://www.fao.org/
FAO leads international efforts to defeat hunger. Serving both developed and developing countries, FAO acts as a neutral forum where all nations meet as equals to negotiate agreements and debate policy. FAO is also a source of knowledge and information. We help developing countries and countries in transition modernize and improve agriculture, forestry and fisheries practices and ensure good nutrition for all. Since our founding in 1945, we have focused special attention on developing rural areas, home to 70 percent of the world's poor and hungry people.

Food & Food Safety

Biotechnology http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/
The USDA monitors work in this field to keep the food supply safe.

Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/list.html
CFSAN is responsible for promoting and protecting the public's health by ensuring that the nation's food supply is safe, sanitary, wholesome, and honestly labeled, and that cosmetic products are safe and properly labeled.

Consumer Food Safety Behavior - ERS Briefing Room http://www.ers.usda.gov/Briefing/ConsumerFoodSafety/
U.S. Dept. of Agriculture (USDA), Economic Research Service (ERS) -- Covers consumer concerns and risks, food preparation and handling, and other topics.

Consumer.gov Food Page  http://www.consumer.gov/food.htm
Food labeling, recalls, general nutrition information, safe food handling and more.

Food Code http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/foodcode.html
This model assists food control jurisdictions at all levels of government by providing them with a scientifically sound technical and legal basis for regulating the retail and food service segment of the industry.

Nutrition

Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion http://www.cnpp.usda.gov/
CNPP works to improve the health and well-being of Americans by developing and promoting dietary guidance that links scientific research to the nutrition needs of consumers.  You can find the Food Pyramid (now MyPyramid) here http://www.mypyramid.gov/pyramid/index.html

Food Composition Classics http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/foodcomp/Data/Classics/
This collection of classic FDA publications includes information on nutrients in cooked foods, sugar content in food, carotenoids, vitamin K, Vitamin D and trans fatty acids.

Nutrient Database http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/foodcomp/search/
Search for nutritional data on specific foods.

Nutrition Assistance Programs http://www.fns.usda.gov/fns/default.htm
Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) provides children and low-income people access to food, a healthful diet, and nutrition education.

Nutrition.gov http://www.nutrition.gov/
Smart eating information aimed at consumers.

Agriculture

USDA Agriculture Page http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/!ut/p/_s.7_0_A/7_0_1OB?navtype=SU&navid=AGRICULTURE
Explore subjects such as Avian Influenza, Pest Management, Weather and Climate, Price Support, Nutrient Management, Plants Database, and Crop Explorer.

The National Organic Program (NOP) http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/ams.fetchTemplateData.do?template=TemplateA&navID=NationalOrganicProgram&leftNav=NationalOrganicProgram&page=NOPNationalOrganicProgramHome&acct=AMSPW
NOP develops, implements, and administers national production, handling, and labeling standards for organic agricultural products. The NOP also accredits the certifying agents (foreign and domestic) who inspect organic production and handling operations to certify that they meet USDA standards.

Plants Database http://plants.usda.gov
A searchable database of plants found in the United States and its territories including taxonomies and images.

Statistics

National Resources Inventory http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/technical/NRI/
A statistical survey of land use and natural resource conditions and trends on U.S. non-Federal lands (focusing on land use, soil erosion, and wetlands) from the Natural Resources Conservation Service.  Use the menu on the left side of the page to explore other technical resources from NRCS.

Census of Agriculture http://www.agcensus.usda.gov/
This census is taken every five years and measures land use and ownership, operator characteristics, production practices, income and expenditures, and other areas.  The most recent data available is 2002, with 2007 results planned for publication in 2009.

Agricultural Statistics 1994-2005 http://www.usda.gov/nass/pubs/agstats.htm
Statistical Indicators http://www.ers.usda.gov/publications/Agoutlook/AOTables/
The statistical indicators formerly provided in Agricultural Outlook magazine will continue to be updated regularly. These tables include data on individual commodities, the general economy, agricultural trade, farm income and expenses, farm prices, food prices and expenditures, and other statistical indicators of the food and agriculture system.

Economic Research Service Data Sets http://www.ers.usda.gov/Data/
Searchable data sets from the USDA’s primary source of economic information and research.  Scroll to the bottom of the page to browse by subject, commodity, or geography.  Also, watch for the economic indicators posted on the right side of the screen.

Policy

2008 Farm Bill http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/!ut/p/_s.7_0_A/7_0_2KD?navid=FARMBILL2008&navtype=CO

Activities of the European Union – Agriculture http://europa.eu/pol/agr/index_en.htm

Activities of the European Union – Food Safety http://europa.eu/pol/food/index_en.htm

Educational Resources

Kids Page http://www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/kids/default.htm

Youth Resources http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/!ut/p/_s.7_0_A/7_0_1OB?navid=YOUTH_RESOURCES&parentnav=EDUCATION_OUTREACH&navtype=RT
USDA provides students, parents, and teachers with youth-geared information and resources related to agriculture.

Education and Outreach http://riley.nal.usda.gov/nal_display/index.php?info_center=8&tax_level=1&tax_subject=1
Educational resources for all ages, including agricultural programs of higher education.

Prepared by Professor Jane Cramer and Anne Deutsch