If you think of what food is, its the energy we use to do our daily work. I want people to know about the USDA. This is a very important department. Its not fully appreciated as such. – Tom Vilsack

The food pyramid is very complicated. It doesnt give you as much info in a quick glance as the plate does. – Tom Vilsack

Food during my early years was a very difficult issue for me. I grew up in an addictive family. My mother had serious problems with alcohol and prescription drugs. I was an overweight kid. I can remember back in those days there werent the strategies that there are today to deal with those issues. – Tom Vilsack