Janey Thornton
Agriculture Deputy Undersecretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services Janey Thornton retired today, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced.

Thornton, who has served as deputy undersecretary since 2009, has played a key role in the implementation of the school meal rules under the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act.

Prior to coming to USDA, Thornton was school nutrition director for Hardin County Schools in Elizabethtown, Ky., and served as president of the School Nutrition Association during the 2006-2007 school year.

In a statement, Vilsack said, “Janey has worked with great knowledge and passion. She has throughout her distinguished career always, always put our children first. They have had no better advocate for a healthier start in life or healthier meals at schools than Janey. She will be sorely missed, but we will be forever grateful for her service.”