Means and Strategies: To successfully accomplish the research activities under this goal, ARS will need the level of human, fiscal, physical, and information resources portrayed in the budget estimates for fiscal years 2002 and 2003.

Verification and Validation: ARS currently conducts a series of review processes designed to ensure the relevance and quality of its research work and to maintain the highest possible standards for its scientists. A more detailed description of the evaluation plans can be found in the introduction to this plan.

OBJECTIVE 3.1: Nutritious food: "Maintain an adequate, nutritious, and safe supply of food to meet human nutritional needs and requirements."

STRATEGY 3.1.1: Human nutrition requirements: Determine requirements for nutrients and other food components of children, pregnant and lactating women, adults, and elderly of diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds.

During FY 2002, ARS will

identify sensitive biomarkers that can be used as indicators of status.

develop a better understanding of the nutrient needs of infants and children.

During FY 2003,ARS will

identify genetic markers that can be used as indicators of nutritional status.

develop a better understanding of how nutrients influence the gut immune system.

STRATEGY 3.1.2: Food composition and consumption: Develop techniques for determining food composition, maintain national food composition databases, monitor the food and nutrient consumption of the U.S. population, and develop and transfer effective nutrition intervention strategies.

During FY 2002, ARS will

obtain data from a fully merged dietary intake survey.

update the national nutrient database; release the latest standard reference.

identify positive dietary behavior that can be used to effectively intervene in young children to improve nutritional status.

During FY 2003,ARS will

STRATEGY 3.1.3: Nutritious plant and animal products: Provide input to plant and animal scientists so more nutritious plant and animal products for human consumption may be developed.

During FY 2002, ARS will

determine the bioavailability of minerals in plants.

utilize diverse germplasm resources to improve the nutritive value of horticultural and agronomic crops. The genetic control of phytonutrient accumulation in crop commodities will be determined, and traditional breeding and biotechnology-based strategies utilized to develop new cultivars with improved nutritive value.

evaluate cultivar and preharvest/postharvest interactions which influence crop nutritive value. Production and postharvest practices will be optimized to enhance and preserve intrinsic crop nutritive value.

During FY 2003,ARS will

utilize diverse germplasm resources to improve the nutritive value of horticultural and agronomic crops. The genetic control of phytonutrient accumulation in crop commodities will be determined and traditional breeding and biotechnology-based strategies utilized to develop new cultivars with improved nutritive value.

evaluate cultivar and preharvest/postharvest interactions which influence crop nutritive value. Production and postharvest practices will be optimized to enhance and preserve intrinsic crop nutritive value.