In this issue, NASDA Public Policy Director Becky Garrison Warfel shares insights on NASDA’s efforts in food safety and nutrition. As a registered dietitian with experience in promoting U.S. crops, Becky offers a unique perspective on NASDA’s initiatives. She highlights the important role USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service data plays in supporting food access, nutrition security and stronger local food systems.
Q: Tell us about your role at NASDA and your main focus areas in food policy.
As NASDA’s director of public policy, I focus on advancing policies and federal programs that improve nutrition security, grow and strengthen regional supply chains and advocate for federal funding to states to ensure food safety. I work with congressional offices and federal agencies to bring awareness to U.S. agriculture’s needs and make our food systems more resilient for an abundant and safe food supply.
A significant part of my work at NASDA involves advocating for adequate funding for the implementation of food safety regulations at the state and local level. This funding is critical to preventing foodborne illnesses and supporting programs that prioritize producer education and proactive safety measures.
Some of the key legislative and program areas I focus on include advocating for stronger connections between local and regional producers and federal feeding programs, such as school meals, food box programs and farmers markets. These initiatives not only increase access to nutritious food but also help build and strengthen regional supply chains.
Q: What led you from working in dietetics to public policy, and how does that background help you in your work today?
It has been an unexpected, but meaningful path into public policy. When I initially started studying nutrition and dietetics my goal was to become an oncology dietitian, but my internships along the way – especially at the VA hospital – opened my eyes to the broader issue of food access, which sparked my passion for community nutrition and comprehensive food systems solutions.
After graduating and passing my dietetics exam, I worked for the University of Idaho Extension Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education, a federal program that provides nutrition education to SNAP recipients. I specifically worked on developing and implementing programs for school cafeterias and food pantries staff and volunteers. I saw firsthand how vital it is to link regional foods to federal programs and the powerful impact it has on improving food access at the state and community levels.
My transition into agriculture came when I joined the national association representing pulse crops—lentils, chickpeas, dry peas and dry beans. At that time, tariffs were severely disrupting market access for pulse crop farmers, and it was my job to connect these crops to federal nutrition programs like school meals and food banks. This experience taught me how federal policies can simultaneously address food insecurity, support farmers and stabilize rural economies whose entire supply chains were being impacted by external factors. Over the years, I’ve learned how federal feeding programs help feed our local communities while simultaneously strengthening food systems, sustaining farmers and building more resilient supply chains.
The interconnectedness of food systems and nutrition security became clear to me, and I’m now driven to advocate for policies that create sustainable economic benefits and ensure access to nutritious food for all. Seven years later, public policy has become my true calling. My dietetics background provides a unique perspective on how food systems and nutrition intersect. At NASDA, I work to connect U.S. farmers and food systems to programs that nourish communities and build a resilient food supply. The opportunities to strengthen these connections are immense, and it’s a privilege to be part of this work.
Q: How does NASDA use NASS survey data to help improve food access and support nutrition programs?
NASS data helps NASDA identify agricultural trends, enabling connections between farmers and food programs and identifying market surpluses. USDA uses this data to purchase excess produce for federal feeding programs like school meals, food banks, senior food boxes and domestic emergency food aid or international aid programs. The data helps inform the types and amounts of crops that might need to be purchased by USDA. This system is a feedback loop that supports U.S. producers, stabilizes prices, reduces food waste and improves food access and nutrition security by strengthening the supply chain.
Q: What are some of the biggest food safety and local food challenges NASDA is working on, and how does NASS data help with these?
A key challenge NASDA is addressing is ensuring that food safety education and training can meet the need for small- and medium-sized producers across the country. NASS data plays a vital role in our advocacy by highlighting the scale and diversity of agricultural operations across states. This data helps us understand the specific staffing and infrastructure needs within a state to effectively support, educate and inspect producers, reducing the risk of foodborne illnesses. For example, in the case of fresh fruits and vegetables, NASS data allows us to pinpoint where producers are located and advocate for the necessary funding, personnel and programs to keep producers informed and compliant with safety protocols to protect public health.
Q: What’s one area in food policy you’re passionate about, and how does NASS data help make a difference there?
I’m particularly passionate about linking policy to support regional producers and nutrition programs because it’s a win-win for both food security and local economies. By stabilizing communities and driving demand through targeted policy, we address the root causes of food insecurity while strengthening local agriculture. NASS data is crucial in this effort, providing valuable insights to design policies that connect producers with nutrition programs, ensuring sustainable access to healthy food for all.
