USDA Food & Nutrition Service (FNS)
THE CHALLENGE
The USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) plays a critical role in advancing food security across the United States, administering more than 15 national nutrition programs that serve millions of Americans. As the agency’s workforce expanded to more than 1,800 employees and demand for services evolved—particularly in response to COVID-19—FNS faced increasing pressure to adapt its operations, strengthen leadership alignment, and modernize how its workforce collaborates.
At the same time, FNS needed to foster a more unified and inclusive organizational culture. Operating in a hybrid environment, the agency sought to enhance employee engagement, improve communication across regions, and ensure that leaders were equipped to guide teams through ongoing change. Fragmented processes, evolving workforce expectations, and leadership transitions further underscored the need for a strategic, data-driven approach to organizational development.
Program Evaluation & Data Analysis
Technical Assistance
Stakeholder Engagement
Strategic Planning
OUR APPROACH
A-G Associates partnered with FNS to deliver a comprehensive, research-driven workforce transformation strategy—combining organizational development, leadership training, and data analytics to strengthen culture, collaboration, and performance.
A-G applied mixed-method data analysis to assess organizational culture, focusing on key elements of engagement, inclusion, and leadership effectiveness. These insights informed strategic planning efforts and enabled FNS to establish measurable goals for building a more cohesive, high-performing workforce.
To strengthen leadership cohesion, A-G designed and facilitated Annual Leadership Retreats for more than 150 executives and program leaders. These sessions focused on leading through change, innovation, and strengths-based leadership, producing actionable priorities that guided Agency Priority Planning cycles.
In parallel, A-G supported leadership continuity through structured transition planning, executive coaching, and onboarding frameworks—ensuring stability during key leadership changes.
A-G implemented targeted facilitation and team-building initiatives across FNS regions, including a multi-phase Rapid Improvement Event series. Using proven methodologies and A-G’s proprietary tools, these efforts standardized leadership practices, improved decision-making consistency, and strengthened cross-functional collaboration.
Recognizing the shift to hybrid work, A-G delivered a Future of Work Training Series to more than 500 employees, equipping teams with skills in virtual collaboration, flexibility, and team effectiveness. Additionally, a digital enablement program trained over 1,000 staff in optimizing Microsoft Teams and Zoom, improving communication and operational efficiency.
Throughout the engagement, A-G managed more than 25 task orders under FNS contracts—delivering all work on time and within scope, while maintaining client satisfaction rates above 95 percent.
THE Impact
A-G’s partnership with FNS resulted in measurable improvements across leadership effectiveness, workforce engagement, and organizational performance.
Stronger Leadership Alignment
Executive retreats, coaching, and standardized processes created a more cohesive leadership team with increased accountability and clearer strategic direction.
Enhanced Workforce Collaboration
Executive retreats, coaching, and standardized processes created a more cohesive leadership team with increased accountability and clearer strategic direction.
Improved Organizational Culture
Data-driven engagement strategies and culture initiatives strengthened morale, teamwork, and inclusion across headquarters and regional offices.
Sustained Mission Readiness
By modernizing workforce practices and strengthening leadership capacity, FNS is better positioned to deliver critical nutrition programs efficiently and effectively to communities nationwide.
Through a tailored, data-driven approach, A-G Associates helped FNS transform its workforce, strengthen its leadership culture, and enhance its ability to serve the American public—delivering lasting impact at both the organizational and mission levels.
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A-G Associates is an award-winning SDVOSB and SBA 8(a) firm with nearly two decades of experience delivering measurable results across public health, behavioral and mental health, and military community wellbeing.