A New Food Pyramid and a New Opportunity for Agriculture

A new year has delivered a new food pyramid from the Trump administration, and we will see how it impacts what Americans buy from farmers. On January 7th, the U.S. Departments of Agriculture (USDA) and Health and Human Services (HHS) unveiled an updated Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2025–2030.

It was complete with a redesigned food pyramid that departs sharply from models of the past. This policy shift, centered on a message to “eat real food,” could have significant implications for farmers, ranchers, and the broader agricultural sector.

The full guidelines emphasize prioritizing protein at every meal, consuming full-fat dairy with no added sugar, eating vegetables and fruits throughout the day, and incorporating healthy fats from whole foods such as meats, eggs, nuts, seeds, olives, and avocados. They also call for limiting highly processed foods, added sugars, and artificial additives.

A visual representation released alongside the guidelines depicts an inverted or reshaped food pyramid in which protein sources, dairy, healthy fats, and whole foods occupy the top tiers, and refined carbohydrates and processed products are pushed toward the base or de-emphasized.

Image courtesy: HHS/USDA

In explaining the overhaul, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said the administration is “ending the war on saturated fats,” while urging Americans to consume nutrient-dense, whole foods, according to Oregon Public Radio.

RELATED: Natalie Kovarik, co-host of the Discover Ag Podcast, told American Farmland Owner that she would be watching the MAHA movement and what it meant for the food system.

“He spent 20 or 30 minutes talking about food and farming. I thought, wow! This is really something—someone with such a large platform is talking about our lifestyle,” Kovarik said as she thought back to something that HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Junior said before joining the Trump administration.

The new food pyramid marks a policy departure from previous guidelines that tended to prioritize grains and carbohydrates as foundational. That was messaging that has influenced federal nutrition programs, school meals, and consumer habits for decades.

Impact on Farm Production and Commodity Markets

For agricultural producers, the guidance could shift demand patterns in several key ways:

1. Increased Demand for Protein and Protein-Rich Commodities

Meat, dairy, poultry, eggs, seafood, nuts, and legumes are highlighted as desirable parts of the diet.

Producers of beef, pork, poultry, and dairy may see increased interest from consumers and institutional buyers if these guidelines influence purchasing decisions in schools, hospitals, and government feeding programs. Larger protein production sectors could benefit.

Diversification into non-traditional proteins like plant-based or specialty animal products may also grow.

2. Single-Ingredient, Whole Food Crops Gain Favor

Vegetables, fruits, and whole grains remain core parts of the guidelines, reinforcing the importance of fresh produce and minimally processed commodities in the food chain.

Fruit and vegetable growers may find expanded markets not only in direct retail but in farm-to-school programs, healthcare institution partnerships, community supported agriculture (CSA) channels, and even value-added processing operations that adhere to “whole food” criteria.

3. Reduced Emphasis on Highly Processed Commodities

Perhaps the most substantial message for agriculture is the guideline’s strong language on processed foods. While previous editions spoke broadly about limiting sodium or sugars, the new pyramid notably asks Americans to reduce consumption of “highly processed packaged, prepared, ready-to-eat foods” such as chips, cookies, and candy — products often derived from commodity grains and oils.