Robert C. Post, Ph.D., M.Ed., M.Sc.
Deputy Director, Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion

Since June 2007, Dr. Robert C. Post has been the Deputy Director of USDA’s Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion (CNPP). As the senior administrative official in the Agency, he is an advisor to the Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services, serving collaboratively with the Executive Director in representing the Department in matters related to nutrition policy and guidance. The two primary objectives of CNPP are to advance and promote dietary guidance for all Americans and to conduct applied research and analysis in nutrition and consumer economics. In this position, Dr. Post is responsible for overseeing the planning, development, review, and promotion of the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, the MyPyramid food guidance system, and programs, including the Healthy Eating Index, the USDA Food Plans, and the cost of raising a child.

Dr. Post joined CNPP with over 25 years of experience in food and agriculture public policy, food production, nutritional science, food marketing, and public health communications and education. Dr. Post dedicates his career experiences to creating innovative promotional and outreach programs that help Americans make small steps toward improved dietary behaviors where they shop, work, play, and prepare foods. Under the Partnering with MyPyramid initiative, he is leading a challenge to corporate America, youth and research organizations, and public sector partners, to help end childhood obesity by creatively working in ways that promote healthy eating practices and increase physical activity.

Dr. Post came to the Center after 11 dynamic years as the Director of USDA’s food labeling policy program in the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), developing and communicating national policies in the area of food, nutrition, and health claims labeling; food standards; and food ingredients used in the production of meat, poultry, and egg products distributed in domestic commerce and exported to the United States. He set national policies that benefit the health of all Americans, e.g., nutrition labeling, and created the joint USDA-FDA ingredients approval program, as well as served as a U.S. delegate on international trade standards committees. Dr. Post held senior leadership positions in other FSIS programs that studied food consumption trends; provided oversight for food inspection; and studied the health and safety of new food technologies.

Currently, Dr. Post is an adjunct member of the Nutrition and Food Science Department of the University of Maryland, instructing courses in food laws and policy, and food industry quality control. Since 1986, he also coordinated and taught courses and workshops for universities and professional organizations on science communications, media, and technology; public health education and program administration; food and nutrition labeling; food ingredients; food processing and packaging; and consumer research methods. Prior to joining USDA in 1982, he held research and teaching positions in academia and worked as a Research Food Scientist in the food industry.

Dr. Post holds a Ph.D. in Public Health, and Science Education Policy and Program Administration, from the University of Maryland, where he also earned a Master of Education in Health Communications, Media, and Technology in 1989; a Master of Science in Food Science and Microbiology in 1981; and a Bachelor of Science in Food Science in 1978. Dr. Post has been awarded certificates of merit for his technical competence and leadership qualities in directing many vital USDA and inter-agency projects. He has also authored more than 75 technical papers and publications. He resides in historic Brookeville, Maryland (which was capital of the U.S. for a day in 1814), with his wife and daughter.

Last Modified: July 13, 2009 11:44 AM