Office of Communications is integral to the historical and current mission of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. This office coordinates and assists with the flow of public information from USDA program agencies, reviewing all publications and audiovisuals, evaluating new information technology, maintaining availability of current information from the Office of the Secretary, ensuring operation of adequate and appropriate channels for dissemination of information to the public, and optimizing public access to USDA information through the news media.
The USDA.gov portal, managed by OC, is customer- or citizen-centric, allowing OC to target information by audience preference, subject and personalization. OC also provides departmental coordination of responses under the Freedom of Information Act.