Abstract: The 1977 Food and Agriculture Act designated the Department of Agriculture as the lead agency for the conduct of human nutrition research. It specifies five priority areas for basic and applied research and nutrition education research : (1) human nutrition requirements; (2) composition of foods and the effects of agricultural practices, handling, processing and cooking on nutrients; (3) surveillance of nutritional benefits to participate in USDA programs; (4) factors affecting consumer food preferences and eating habits and (5) development of techniques and equipment to assist consumers in selecting food to provide a nutritionally balanced diet. The comprehensive plan for delivery of human nutrition research and services is a plan with a basic statement of purpose and priorities which describes current programs for meeting the priorities and concludes with a discussion of future goals and implementation plans.