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The USDA's Agriculture Marketing Service (AMS) division advertises American agricultural products. The AMS has engaged in high-profile, national campaigns, including the popular "Got Milk?" promotion since 1993. It is financed by mandatory fees charged to producers. The USDA also works to increase food consumption by administering programs designed to provide food to the poor. The National School Lunch Program is responsible for feeding tens of millions of school children daily. The program provides free or subsidized lunches while setting nutritional standards for each meal. The USDA was granted control of the program as part of its mission to dispense food surpluses. The department also runs the food stamp program, providing subsidized food for adults and families. The food stamp program also aids businesses, increasing their sales and revenue by making it possible for impoverished Americans to purchase more food than they otherwise could. The USDA has also sought to increase overseas demand for American agricultural commodities. It has conducted studies on alternative uses for food crops, including using them as fuel. The department educates farmers on how to increase their exports under international trade agreements and the regulations of the World Trade Organization (WTO). Complementing the efforts of the USDA, the Office of the United States Trade Representative |
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