Cindy Long is a longtime advocate for school meals. She served as USDA Deputy Undersecretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services, and as Administrator of USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) from 2021-2024. Prior to that Ms. Long had served in multiple USDA roles encompassing all aspects of child nutrition programs, including the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, Child and Adult Care Food Program, Summer Food Service Program, and the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program. Her accomplishments include leading multiple major improvements in the nutritional quality of school meals; implementing new national programs providing universal healthy school meals for all; and a new national summer feeding program, the first new national nutrition entitlement in fifty years. She has also been a strong advocate for local and regional food systems, leading USDA’s farm to school agenda and championing unprecedented funding levels for local food in domestic nutrition programs during the Biden Administration.
Ms. Long also has extensive operational support experience, including leadership of USDA dregional offices and research and analysis initiatives in support of domestic nutrition assistance programs. She has extensive experience in budget and appropriations issues, including several years with the Office of Management and Budget. She also has experience in the private and nonprofit sectors.
Ms. Long has a MPA in public policy and economics from Princeton University’s School of Public and International Affairs, and a BA in economics from the University of Notre Dame. She has received numerous recognitions and awards, including the Presidential Rank Award and multiple USDA Honor Awards.
