It’s a welcomed shift from previous stints as USDA secretary under President Barack Obama
The last time Vilsack was in this role at USDA, the committee of federal health experts submitted a scientific report recommending less meat and more plants, saying that it was essential for the health of America’s population and the planet. With the science to support it, they stated that a plant-rich diet is better for Americans’ health and the environment than the current animal-rich and calorie-heavy U.S. diet.
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These findings never made it into the dietary guidelines for Americans, a document published every five years by the USDA that guides U.S. food programs and nutrition policies. In fact, then-Secretary Vilsack decided to stick with a 1990 mandate instead, saying that he did not believe that dietary guidelines for Americans were the appropriate vehicle for a conversation about sustainability.