USDA Deputy Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services
Dr. Janey Thornton was appointed by President Barack Obama as USDA Deputy Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services (FNCS) on April 1, 2009.
As Deputy Under Secretary, Dr. Thornton is responsible for improving the health and well-being of Americans by developing and promoting science-based dietary guidance and administering USDA's 15 nutrition assistance programs. FNCS programs work to end hunger in the United States and provide nutrition assistance, dietary guidance, nutrition policy coordination, and nutrition education.
Dr. Thornton previously served as School Nutrition Director for Hardin County Schools in Elizabethtown, Kentucky, worked with the Kentucky Department of Education and taught vocational home economics. Dr. Thornton has been active in the 55,000-member School Nutrition Association (SNA) and served as president during the 2006-2007 school year. She has also served as President of the School Nutrition Foundation and as an active member of the Global Child Nutrition Foundation.
A native of Kentucky, Dr. Thornton received her Bachelor of Science degree in Home Economics from Western Kentucky University, a Master of Science degree in Vocational Education and School Administration from the University of Kentucky and she received her Doctorate from Iowa State University in 2007.
