Equity is a central component of FSIS mission to protect public health by preventing foodborne illness. Over the past two years, FSIS has made great strides in institutionalizing equity into the fabric of the agency. Yet, there is still more work to do.
outlines how FSIS will meet the goals put forth in Executive Orders 13985 and 14091 across four main priorities:
1. Provide robust technical assistance to, and reduce barriers to access for, small and very small establishment owners and operators who are often members of underrepresented communities.
2. Expand language access for consumers with limited English proficiency.
3. Assist tribal nations in their efforts to build self-sufficiency and grow their meat and poultry processing businesses.
4. Increase equity through federal procurement by expanding opportunities for small, disadvantaged business owners and women-owned small businesses.
For each priority action, FSIS identifies difficulties that certain groups may face in accessing FSIS programs and services, articulates FSIS actions to advance equity, and discusses how the agency plans to meaningfully engage with leaders and representatives from communities that have long been underserved.
By steadily executing planned 20232024 actions, FSIS will help achieve the aspirational goal set forth in Executive Order 14091namely, to bridge the gap between the world we see and the future we seek.
Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service