The U.S. Department of Agriculture touches American food from the farm to the dinner plate — and it predates the FDA by decades. Here's how it came to be and what it does.
Lincoln's 'People's Department'
President Abraham Lincoln established the Department of Agriculture in 1862, at a time when about half of Americans were farmers. He called it 'the People's Department,' reflecting how central agriculture was to ordinary life. Its early mission was research, seed distribution, and helping farmers improve their yields.
From farming to food safety
As the department grew, its scientific arm — the Division of Chemistry led by Harvey Wiley — became the seedbed of federal food regulation. When the 1906 laws passed, the USDA gained authority over meat inspection, while the food-and-drug regulatory function eventually spun off into the separate FDA in 1930.
What the USDA regulates today
The modern USDA's food role centers on:
- Meat, poultry, and some egg products — inspection and safety (the FDA handles most other foods; see who regulates what).
- Dietary guidance — the USDA co-authors the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and created the food pyramid and MyPlate.
- Food assistance — programs like SNAP and school meals.
- Agriculture and research — supporting farmers and food production.
Its influence on how we eat
Through its dietary guidance and nutrition programs, the USDA has shaped how generations of Americans think about balanced eating. The food pyramid that many grew up with, and the MyPlate icon that replaced it, are both USDA creations — parallel to the FDA's work on the Nutrition Facts label.