$4.5 million investment to launch additional nutrition hubs

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has revealed that they will be investing $4.5 million into establishing three new Nutrition Hubs

These three hubs will address food and nutrition security across underserved communities. A further push towards the USDA’s effort to improve access to healthy, affordable food, in particular in areas facing high rates of diet-related chronic diseases.

These new hubs will expand the reach and impact of USDA programs that support nutrition security and public health.

Understanding nutrition security

The term “nutrition security” refers to making sure that everyone has consistent, equitable access to nutritious foods that are important for overall health and well-being.

The Biden-Harris administration has prioritised this issue, hoping to reduce the burden of diet-related diseases, especially in vulnerable populations. These new USDA Nutrition Hubs are part of a larger strategy to bring evidence-based solutions to most needy communities, focusing on underserved and at-risk groups.

Building on previous efforts

These efforts come after the Nutrition Hub last year was created and developed in partnership with Southern University and A&M College as part of the Agricultural Science Center of Excellence for Nutrition and Diet for Better Health (ASCEND for Better Health) initiative.

The new hubs will work well with this pilot program and are set to be a key player in improving food and nutrition security efforts across the country.

The hubs are funded by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture through the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative, with additional support from the USDA Agricultural Research Service.

Locations for the new nutrition hubs

The three new Nutrition Hubs will be located at prominent Land-grant Universities: the University of Hawaii, Texas A&M University, and Utah State University.

These areas were chosen for their strong record in community engagement and educational outreach, making them the perfect places to tackle nutrition related challenges at a local level.

Focus areas for each hub

Each of the new hubs will focus on specific populations and its own challenges related to food security:

• Pacific Nutrition Hub: Based at the University of Hawaii at Mānoa, this hub will focus on improving nutrition in the U.S. Affiliated Pacific Region. The hub will develop culturally relevant strategies to enhance nutrition security for Native populations with distinct biological, cultural, and linguistic characteristics. By tailoring interventions to these communities, the hub aims to bridge gaps in health and nutrition outcomes.
• Healthy Living for Hispanic Communities: Located at Texas A&M University, this hub will address food and nutrition security in Hispanic communities. These populations often face higher rates of diet-related diseases, including obesity and diabetes. The Texas hub will focus on improving access to healthy foods, reducing health disparities, and promoting nutrition education tailored to the needs of Hispanic communities.
• Western Region Nutrition Security Collaborative: At Utah State University, this hub will tackle structural inequalities that limit access to healthy foods, particularly in rural and underserved areas. The Utah hub will encourage interdisciplinary collaboration to address barriers such as economic inequality, geographic isolation, and limited availability of fresh, nutritious foods. By fostering partnerships across sectors, it aims to create more equitable food systems in the region.

A key feature of these new hubs is the emphasis on “precision nutrition,” which is an idea that acknowledges the diversity of needs among different population groups.

Precision nutrition involves developing personalised dietary recommendations based on various factors, including genetic makeup, lifestyle, socioeconomic status, and cultural preferences.

By using this approach, the hubs will help communities implement more effective and sustainable strategies for improving public health.

Equality and health

The USDA is working towards its plans for a better and stronger food system by creating these hubs.

Through these investments, the USDA hopes to promote interdisciplinary collaboration among scientists, community stakeholders, and policymakers to develop innovative, science-based solutions that address food insecurity and chronic health issues in underserved populations.