Julie Paradis has been chosen to serve as Administrator of USDA's Food and Nutrition Service. Through its programs and nutrition education efforts, the agency provides children and needy families with better access to food and a more healthful diet.

"For more than three decades, Paradis has worked to improve national food and nutrition programs and she will now be able to hit the ground running to enhance how these programs are delivered to the American people," said Vilsack. "It is a great honor to welcome Julie back to USDA to work with the President and me to improve the health and nutrition of people across this great country."

Paradis has served as Senior Washington Counsel for America's Second Harvest, now known as Feeding America, and also as USDA Deputy Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services. In that role, serving between December of 1997 and January of 2001, Paradis was responsible for policy and program development for 15 federal nutrition assistance programs. Prior to that, she spent eight years in various staff positions with the House Agriculture Committee.