$4.5M investment targets food security gaps
The USDA has unveiled a $4.5 million investment to establish three additional Nutrition Hubs, addressing food security challenges and promoting health equity in underserved communities.
The hubs aim to provide scalable, science-based strategies to reduce diet-related chronic diseases while fostering equitable access to nutritious food. These facilities build on the success of a pilot hub launched at Southern University under the USDA ASCEND for Better Health initiative.
The Nutrition Hubs will be based at three Land-grant Universities:
- University of Hawaii: The Pacific Nutrition Hub will focus on Native populations, developing culturally tailored solutions to improve health.
- Texas A&M AgriLife Research: This hub targets Hispanic communities, enhancing food security and reducing health disparities.
- Utah State University: The Western Region Hub will address systemic barriers and foster collaborations to improve nutrition access.
USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack reiterated the importance of these hubs, stating, “Nutrition security means everyone has consistent and equitable access to healthy, safe, affordable foods essential to optimal health and well-being.”
The initiative also integrates precision nutrition, a personalized approach considering factors like genetics, environment, and socioeconomic status to create effective dietary solutions. The hubs will catalyze interdisciplinary research, bringing together scientists, educators, and community leaders to tackle food-related challenges.
This investment supports USDA's broader mission to transform food systems and promote equitable access to resources. Learn more at www.usda.gov.