In the initial phase of the Trump Administration, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins has undertaken significant initiatives to bolster President Donald J. Trump's efforts to enhance the nation's health through the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) campaign at the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
"President Trump has made fixing our chronic health problems a main priority. Our farmers and ranchers produce the safest, most abundant food supply in the world, and we are working every day to ensure our kids and families are eating the healthiest foods. We have made great strides in the last 100 days to Make America Healthy Again," stated Secretary Rollins.
Shortly after assuming her role, Secretary Rollins reached out to the nation's governors, sharing her vision for the Department and encouraging participation in a new "laboratories for innovation" initiative. This initiative aims to address long-standing challenges with bold solutions. Rollins has also endorsed the leadership of states submitting waivers to further the goals of the MAHA initiative. As part of these efforts, the USDA has supported voluntary changes in the food industry, such as the dairy industry's decision to remove artificial colors from the National School Lunch Program.
Under President Trump's directive, the USDA and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) are focusing on promoting healthy eating and lifestyle habits. The MAHA Commission, led by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., is tasked with researching the causes of high rates of diet-related diseases, such as obesity and diabetes, among children. The commission aims to drive change through revised dietary policy, state innovation, and reduced regulation.
Secretary Kennedy and Secretary Rollins recently collaborated on their first MAHA event, where they visited Ferdinand T. Day Elementary School in Alexandria, VA. During their visit, they engaged with students during a healthy snack time and discussed the impact of federally funded nutrition programs with the staff. This event marked their commitment to working together towards a healthier America. Additionally, the secretaries co-authored an opinion piece in USA Today to outline their MAHA objectives.
