USDA FoodData Central MCP Server
Server Configuration
Describes the environment variables required to run the server.
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| USDA_API_KEY | Yes | FoodData Central API key; server exits if unset. | |
| USDA_API_BASE_URL | No | Override when routing through a proxy or staging host. | https://api.nal.usda.gov/fdc/v1/ |
Instructions
Guidance the server publishes about itself, which clients place ahead of the tool catalog so the model reads it before choosing anything.
This server publishes no instructions, or was last inspected before Glama recorded them.
Capabilities
Features and capabilities supported by this server
Protocol revision2025-11-25
| Capability | Details |
|---|---|
| tools | {
"listChanged": true
} |
| logging | {} |
| resources | {
"listChanged": true
} |
Tools
Functions exposed to the LLM to take actions
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| search-foodsB | Full-text search of USDA FoodData Central with structured filters, pagination cursors, preview mode, and dry-run estimation to conserve context. |
| get-foodA | Look up a single FoodData Central (FDC) record by numeric ID. Supports abridged/full detail toggles and nutrient ID subsets to trim responses. Ideal once you already know the identifier. |
| get_categoriesA | Return category tags for a FoodData Central entry, including FoodCategory, brandedFoodCategory, and WweiaFoodCategory when available. |
| get_macrosA | Return per 100 g calories, protein, total fat, and carbohydrates for a FoodData Central entry. |
| get_microsA | Return per 100 g vitamins and minerals for a FoodData Central entry (Calcium through B vitamins). |
| get_macro_microsA | Return per 100 g macro plus vitamin/mineral panels for a FoodData Central entry. |
| get_fatsA | Return per 100 g total fat for a FoodData Central entry. Returns a single value per 100 g to minimize context usage. |
| get_proteinA | Return per 100 g protein for a FoodData Central entry. Returns a single value per 100 g to minimize context usage. |
| get_carbsA | Return per 100 g carbohydrates for a FoodData Central entry. Returns a single value per 100 g to minimize context usage. |
| get_kcalA | Return per 100 g calories for a FoodData Central entry. Returns a single value per 100 g to minimize context usage. |
| get_satfatsA | Return per 100 g saturated fat for a FoodData Central entry. Returns a single value per 100 g to minimize context usage. |
| get_fiberA | Return per 100 g dietary fiber for a FoodData Central entry. Returns a single value per 100 g to minimize context usage. |
| list_portionsA | Return labeled portion sizes for a FoodData Central entry, including gram weights when available. |
| macros_for_portionA | Return calories, protein, fat, and carbohydrates for a specific USDA-defined portion of a FoodData Central entry. |
| get-foodsA | Batch lookup for multiple FDC IDs via the USDA bulk endpoint. Provide up to 50 IDs to reduce repeated network calls. Supports abridged/full detail and nutrient filters per the API. |
| list-foodsA | Page-oriented listing endpoint for predictable iteration when you already know the data type or brand. Supports pagination, sorting, and brand filters, returning summaries for quick scanning. |
Prompts
Interactive templates invoked by user choice
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
No prompts | |
Resources
Contextual data attached and managed by the client
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| usda-environment | Summarises configuration defaults, overrides, and operational guidance for this MCP server. |
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