Increasing the Resilience of the Food Systems
In Islamic States in Face of Future Food Crises
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Government Policy, Part One: Entities and Responsibilities
There are three core government entities responsible for establishing and maintaining long -
term food security in the U.S., with the USDA having the broadest scope and reach.
The USDA is one of 15 Federal Executive Departments, the equivalent of Ministries in
parliamentary and semi-parliamentary government systems. The department has the broadest
reach across the food system in the U.S. and is organized along with eight mission areas,
supported by 17 agencies that span the four core pillars of food security:
 Availability is supported through rural support, marketing and regulatory
activities, research and education, and trade.
 Access and affordability are enabled through a dedicated mission for food,
nutrition, and consumer services.
 There are dedicated food safety and inspection missions.
 Stability of supply is enabled through dedicated risk management and
conservation efforts.215
Figure 18: Organizational structure of the USDA
Source: USDA
The FDA is overseen by the Department of Health and Human Services. Th is agency is
responsible for protecting public health by ensuring the safety, efficacy, and security of drugs,
biological products, and medical devices, as well as by ensuring the safety of the food supply.216
FEMA, an entity overseen by the Department of Homeland Security, is responsible for actively
monitoring and responding to disasters, including providing food aid as needed. The
Departments of Commerce and Labor also play important roles in supporting business, trade,
and employment activity across the food system.217
215 USDA websit
216 FDA websit
217 U.S. Government websit