Which government agency provides food directly to select populations to address food security?

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is the government agency that directly addresses food security by providing food assistance to select populations. One of its primary functions is to administer various nutrition assistance programs, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the National School Lunch Program, which are designed to ensure that individuals and families have access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food.

The USDA also plays a critical role in food distribution during emergencies and works actively to support agricultural programs that enhance food security. This focus on direct assistance to vulnerable populations in addressing their nutritional needs underscores the agency's mission to promote public health through improved food access.

In contrast, other agencies like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) focus primarily on public health and disease prevention, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) is mainly concerned with biomedical research, and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates food safety and drug approval rather than directly intervening in food distribution.