The Essentials of Food and Agriculture - in Charts and Maps

USDA Blog Post:

Posted by Dr. Catherine Woteki, USDA’s Chief Scientist and Under Secretary for Research, Education and Economics, on September 17, 2013 at 5:05 PM

This is one of more than 75 charts and maps in Ag and Food Statistics: Charting the Essentials from USDA’s Economic Research Service, compiling a set of key statistics on the ag and food sectors and the rural economy. Each chart in the collection includes accompanying text.

This post is part of the Science Tuesday feature series on the USDA blog. Check back each week as we showcase stories and news from USDA’s rich science and research portfolio.

With the abundance of news and information on the food and agriculture sector, sometimes it is helpful to take a step back and look at the big picture. You might be a seasoned expert on food, agriculture, or the rural economy, or you may have just a general knowledge. In any case, there are a number of key indicators that will bring you up to speed on a range of basic questions.

How much, for example, do agriculture and related industries contribute to the U.S. economy? Which commodities are our main agricultural exports? What share of their household incomes do Americans spend on food? How do job earnings in rural areas compare with metro areas? How much of our Nation’s water does agriculture consume?

In a new online product, USDA’s Economic Research Service tells the basic story in numbers. Ag and Food Statistics: Charting the Essentials assembles more than 75 charts and maps, each with accompanying text, and conveniently organized into nine topics. You’ll find statistics on agricultural markets and trade, farm income, food prices and consumption, food security, rural economies, agriculture’s interaction with natural resources, and its role in the general economy.

Whether you’re a researcher, public official, educator, student, or journalist, I think you’ll find the Essentials informative and useful – in presentations, reports, research, classrooms, and in other endeavors.

The Essentials are at www.ers.usda.gov/essentials.

This is one of more than 75 charts and maps in Ag and Food Statistics: Charting the Essentials from USDA’s Economic Research Service, compiling a set of key statistics on the ag and food sectors and the rural economy. Each chart in the collection includes accompanying text.

Celebrate Labor Day with a MyPlate Picnic

USDA Blog Post:

Posted by Robert Post, Acting Executive Director, Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion, on August 29, 2013 at 9:50 AM

Kid-Friendly, Classic American and Foodie Fare MyPlate Picnic Menus

A picnic is an easy and relaxing holiday activity. USDA’s MyPlate resources can help take the “labor” out of your Labor Day picnic. You can enjoy an easy, healthy meal by following this simple MyPlate formula: 5 food groups + family and friends = fun! When planning your picnic, be sure to include more healthful choices of menu items from each food group (fruits, vegetables, grains, protein foods, and dairy) and water or 100% juice to drink.

Fruit
Celebrate the end of summer by enjoying seasonal fruits. You can make an easy (and portable) fruit salad by dicing up fresh fruits like watermelon, cantaloupe, peaches, plums, kiwi, and strawberries. If you choose to include apples, bananas, or pears, just add a splash of citrus (like orange juice) to prevent browning. And if you’re feeling more adventurous, try this refreshing MyPlate watermelon gazpacho recipe. You can bring it in a lidded container, or divide into jars for individual portions.

Vegetables

When it comes to vegetables, there are many fun ways to include them in your picnic. You could simply chop up veggies like carrots, celery, and cucumber to serve with hummus or lowfat yogurt dip. Or make an easy bean dish like garden cannellini bean salad or crispy edamame. For kids, try fun snacks that include veggies like ants on a log. Just spread celery stalks with reduced-fat peanut butter and sprinkle with raisins.

Grains

There are many easy grain choices for your MyPlate picnic. Make sandwiches on whole wheat bread, in a whole wheat pita, or a whole grain wrap. You could also bring along whole grain crackers or make your own snack mix. For example, mix salt-free pretzels with whole grain cereal and nuts and then add some seasoning like a dash of chili powder for a savory snack mix or cinnamon sugar for sweet!

Protein Foods

Sandwiches are a great way to pack your protein foods to-go. Sandwiches like tuna apple salad or chicken-arugula focaccia can be packed in baggies or individually wrapped in parchment. You could even tie them up with string and add name tags for each person if you’re feeling creative. If you won’t be eating your picnic right away, bring peanut butter to spread on whole wheat crackers, celery sticks, or apple slices. Or make your own peanut butter and banana sandwiches when you get to your picnic spot!

Dairy

When packing dairy for a picnic, be sure to include an ice pack or frozen water bottles to keep low-fat milk and yogurt products cool. Try a red, white, and blue parfait made with low-fat yogurt, fresh strawberries and blueberries. Or low-fat cheese cubes go great with crackers, apple or pear slices, and sliced veggies.

Beverages

For a healthy and refreshing beverage choice, bring water and add flavor with fruit, such as lemon, lime, or orange wedges or herbs from the garden like mint or basil. Juice boxes that are 100% fruit juice are another good choice and are easy to pack in your picnic basket.

Family, Friends & Fun

There’s one more thing you’ll need to make your MyPlate picnic complete. Don’t forget to pack the fun! Balance your meal and snacks with lots of activity. Bring along a game like horseshoes or charades, or pack a Frisbee or football, or just bring your sneakers to go for a nature walk with family and friends.

This Labor Day, give our sample MyPlate picnic menus a try. We have something for everyone whether you’re looking for kid-friendly, classic American, or foodie fare. Or you can design your own. For more recipes and ideas visit the MyPlate Recipes Pinterest page or ChooseMyPlate.gov.