Roberto Salazar, Presidentially appointed Administrator of USDA's Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) since April 2002, will tell you, "Change happens in an instant - when you decide to change." These words have guided a stellar career in public service that began in New Mexico, and now touches the lives of people across the country.
Salazar leads our nation's efforts to change the lives of children and low-income people by providing them with access to food, a healthy diet, and nutrition education. While successfully expanding the reach of USDA's hallmark programs - Food Stamps, National School Lunch and School Breakfast, Child and Adult Care Food, and the Special Supplemental Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) - FNS has achieved the lowest error rate in its history, preserving the integrity of a $59 billion annual budget.
Salazar's extensive background and experience in his home State of New Mexico make him uniquely qualified to lead change designed to improve the nutritional well-being, economic climate and living conditions for the people he serves. His years of service include positions as New Mexico's Director of the USDA Rural Development State Office, Director of Science and Technology, Director of the Human Services Department, and advisor to the Governor.
In addition to his work in State government, Salazar also served with the U.S. Department of Commerce Minority Business Development Agency, and as Executive Director of the Hispanic Radio Network where he supervised the development, production, and syndication of educational radio programs to over 160 stations in 18 countries.
"Change happens in an instant - when you decide to change." Throughout his life and his career, Roberto Salazar has decided to change lives. The low-income families, children and adults that benefit from his decision, and the staff of 1,600 at the USDA Food and Nutrition Service who support that vision, are changed for the better because of USDA's commitment to being "the Peoples' Department".
