SHREWSBURY, Mass. - USDA Deputy Under Secretary Stacy Dean paid a visit to the Worcester County Food Bank Thursday with Rep. James McGovern.

Dean hopes to build on the momentum of the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition and Health last September. The summit focused on strengthening ties between organizations like the food bank and federal officials in the USDA and other agencies.

“We’re here at the Worcester County Food Bank to learn more about the need in the community and how they’re working with partners across the county to make sure our neighbors have food to eat,” Dean said. “Unfortunately, there are far too many people struggling against hunger right now. We’re so grateful to have organizations like these feeding our neighbors.”

In the past year, the Worcester County Food Bank distributed 7.5 million pounds of donated food to more than 40,000 families, enough for 121,000 meals every week. About one-third of the food was donated by the USDA’s Emergency Food Assistance Program.

Dean also took part in a regional nutrition summit at Worcester State University.