Eric M. Bost is the US Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services (US Department of Agriculture) and he recently represented his country at the 31st Session of the FAO Committee on Food Security (Rome, 23-26 May, 2005). He is responsible for the administration of the fifteen USDA nutrition programs throughout the United States of America, with a $52 billion budget, which is likely to reach $60 billion, this year.