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Biden reportedly tabs Vilsack to be USDA secretary

Thomas Vilsack, who had already previously served for eight years as Secretary of Agriculture, reportedly has been tabbed to take that position again in a Joe Biden Administration.

Mike Buzalka, Executive Features Editor

December 9, 2020

1 Min Read
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Thomas Vilsack served as USDA secretary for eight years in the Barack Obama Administration and is a former governor of Iowa.Alex Wong/Getty Images News

Sources close to Joe Biden have reportedly told national news agencies that Thomas Vilsack will be named secretary of Agriculture in a Biden Administration. Vilsack had served as USDA secretary for eight years in the Barack Obama Administration and is a former governor of Iowa. He is currently CEO of the U.S. Dairy Export Council.

As USDA secretary from 2009 to 2017, Vilsack oversaw the initial implementation of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act’s provisions that overhauled national school meal programs. The current administration and current USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue have sought to scale back some of those provisions, especially those having to do with milk, whole grains and sodium. It has also extended school meal flexibilities originally implemented at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic last spring through next September.

In addition to overhaul of school meal regulations, the USDA under Vilsack also expanded K-12 access to fresh produce, overhauled school wellness policies, piloted a school garden program, released an updated Dietary Guidelines for Americans and unveiled a new food pyramid icon.

About the Author

Mike Buzalka

Executive Features Editor, Food Management

Mike Buzalka is executive features editor for Food Management and contributing editor to Restaurant Hospitality, Supermarket News and Nation’s Restaurant News. On Food Management, Mike has lead responsibility for compiling the annual Top 50 Contract Management Companies as well as the K-12, College, Hospital and Senior Dining Power Players listings. He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in English Literature from John Carroll University. Before joining Food Management in 1998, he served as for eight years as assistant editor and then editor of Foodservice Distributor magazine. Mike’s personal interests range from local sports such as the Cleveland Indians and Browns to classic and modern literature, history and politics.

Mike Buzalka’s areas of expertise include operations, innovation and technology topics in onsite foodservice industry markets like K-12 Schools, Higher Education, Healthcare and Business & Industry.

Mike Buzalka’s experience:

Executive Features Editor, Food Management magazine (2010-present)

Contributing Editor, Restaurant Hospitality, Supermarket News and Nation’s Restaurant News (2016-present)

Associate Editor, Food Management magazine (1998-2010)

Editor, Foodservice Distributor magazine (1997-1998)

Assistant Editor, Foodservice Distributor magazine (1989-1997)

 

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