Vaden: Farmers will feel ‘heard’ in second MAHA report

Deputy Agriculture Secretary Stephen Vaden said Monday that U.S. ag will see its voice reflected in the second Make America Healthy Again Commission report, slated for release later this month. 

“I think that you will see when the second commission report is issued that you were heard and that you influenced the result,” Vaden said during the American Sugar Alliance’s International Sweetener Symposium in Traverse City, Michigan. 

The first MAHA report took flack from across the political spectrum following its publication in May. Farm groups complained that it was overly critical of pesticides and seed oils and ignored science demonstrating their safety, Agri-Pulse reported at the time. The American Farm Bureau Federation complained that farmers had been largely excluded from its fact-finding process, despite requesting meetings. 

But Vaden on Monday tried to head off any similar criticism of the next report, which will include recommendations on how to address the rapid proliferation of chronic diseases.

“The team was intentional on engaging stakeholders from across the agricultural value chain,” he told those at the symposium. “I know some of you were involved in those conversations at the White House.” 

The venue was particularly appropriate for Vaden, given the MAHA report also took aim at added sugars. Vaden, however, sought to reassure the sugar industry representatives in attendance that the administration had heard their arguments that balanced diets can leave room for modest amounts of sugar as it prepares the new set of dietary guidelines, which are expected to be released soon. 

“This industry, from the grower to your nutrition teams, have done a phenomenal job in sharing the facts with the necessary policymakers,” Vaden said. “I want you to keep doing what you’re doing,” he added. 

The Agriculture Department and the Department of Health and Human Services publish the Dietary Guidelines for Americans every five years, with the latest iteration due by the end of 2025. However, with the rise of the MAHA movement and Robert Kennedy Jr. helming HHS, some industries are concerned that they could adjust the recommendations around ultra-processed foods. 

The guidelines, Vaden said, will focus on protein-rich foods, vegetables, fruits and whole grains. 

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Above all, Vaden stressed that the administration wants to see more U.S.-grown products on Americans’ plates.

“We have the most efficient, the most sustainable and the safest food supply the world has ever seen,” Vaden said. “So making America healthy begins with making what's on America's plate American again.” 

Vaden also used the appearance to reiterate his defense of the administration’s reorganization plan. At a hearing last week, Vaden told senators that moving more than half of the department’s more than 4,600 Washington, D.C.-based employees to regional hubs would allow for improved efficiency. 

He said that of the 4,754 USDA office buildings, only four in the Washington area are slated for closure.

"Nearly all of those facilities have a maintenance backlog that is greater than their actual value." Vaden said. "You don't need to be an economist with a Ph.D. like Doctor Johansson to know that that is not an asset you should be interested in keeping,” referring to Robert Johansson, director of economic and policy analysis at the ASA and a former USDA chief economist. 

Vaden also responded to concerns expressed by previous officials and some farm groups about the reorganization’s impact on fly-ins, when groups come to Washington to meet with congressional staff and federal officials.

“I don't know how many people you meet when you have a fly-in. I suspect it's somewhat less than 2,000, but you'll have 2,000 people to choose from in Washington, D.C.” Vaden said. “They'll be there in person. You won't be meeting on Microsoft Teams, and you can walk into the building and say what you want to say. And I think that's more than sufficient.”

In comments to reporters after the session, Vaden said that senior officials managing the U.S. sugar program would be among those that will remain in the capital.  

On Friday, the department opened a public comment period on the reorganization that runs through Aug. 26.

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