As FNCS Under Secretary, Mr. Bost is responsible for the administration of the fifteen USDA nutrition assistance programs with a combined budget of over $50 billion, including the Food Stamp Program, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC), the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs, and the Commodity Distribution Programs. During his tenure significant progress has been made in furthering the agency goals of combating obesity and helping needy families and individuals secure a nutritious diet. His efforts focus on improving program access, promoting better eating habits, and strengthening stewardship of taxpayer dollars. He has forged strong partnerships with faith-based, health and advocacy organizations, State and local governments, and industry to ensure that the nutrition assistance programs are administered effectively and efficiently. 

Since 2001, FNCS has served more participants in the nutrition assistance programs: over 4 million more low-income children and families received food stamps; 600,00 more low-income children ate a free or reduced price lunch; 700,000 more children at a school breakfast and nearly 400,000 more women, infants and children participated in the WIC program. 

Mr. Bost led USDA in reauthorization of the Food Stamp Program, securing a package that adds $6.4 billion in new funding to nutrition assistance programs over a 10-year period and restored eligibility for legal immigrants. Ensuring access to Food Stamps to all eligible individuals and families with dignity and respect while maintaining high standards of program integrity is a top priority for FNCS. During his tenure, Mr. Bost has overseen the successful implementation of new options at the state level to simplify program administration and improve access. Effective in June 2004, Food Stamp recipients in all territories and states will receive their benefits electronically. The Food Stamp Program has achieved the highest-level payment accuracy in the history of the program.

Mr. Bost developed recommendation for program improvements for the reauthorization of the Child Nutrition and WIC programs that would ensure access to nutritious meals, development of lifelong healthy eating habits in children while maintaining high standards and program integrity. He implemented a highly successful pilot program in four states and an Indian Tribal Organization to promote fresh fruit and vegetable consumption among the Nation’s school children.

Under Secretary Bost has led efforts to support and motivate Americans to make concrete improvements in their diet and physical activity as part of the President’s Healthier US Initiative. Partnerships were developed with the National 5 A Day Program to promote consumption of fruits and vegetables; between USDA and the Departments of Health and Human Services and Education to expand school-based efforts to help children develop lifelong healthy eating and physical activity skills as well as expanded efforts to combat childhood obesity through FNS’ Eat Smart. Play Hard campaign.

Mr. Bost has also provided leadership and support to improve diets around the world. Through collaboration with the Foreign Agricultural Service, the Agency for International Development, the World Food Program and the Five-A-Day Program to provide technical assistance and promote improved nutrition and food security in South Africa, Sierra Leone, Ethiopia, Hong Kong, Brazil and Japan.

In Spring 2002, Mr. Bost received a “Distinguished Service Award,” from the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC) for his leadership in promoting greater program accessibility, simplicity and accountability in all the Federal nutrition assistance programs. FRAC is a leading national organization working to improve public policies for eradicating hunger in the United States.

A native of Concord, NC, Mr. Bost holds a B.A. degree in psychology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and an M.A. degree in Special Education from the University of South Florida.