How do I install the usda mcp server?

Use a recorded configuration for your client, replace example credential values and paths, and verify the documented runtime. Restart or reconnect the client, then inspect the available tools.

What credentials does it need?

It reads `MCP_TRANSPORT_TYPE`, `MCP_LOG_LEVEL`, `USDA_FDC_API_KEY` from the environment. Store these in your client's env block or a secrets manager — never commit them to a repository — and grant the narrowest scope that still covers your use case.

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Usda MCP Server

Search foods, compare nutrients, and look up the full USDA FoodData Central database.

Local serverstdio

What is the Usda MCP Server?

Search foods, compare nutrients, and look up the full USDA FoodData Central database.

What it actually does

Declarative tool and resource definitions — single file per primitive, framework handles registration and validation
Unified error handling — handlers throw, framework catches, classifies, and formats
Pluggable auth: none, jwt, oauth
Swappable storage backends: in-memory, filesystem, Supabase, Cloudflare KV/R2/D1
Structured logging with optional OpenTelemetry tracing
STDIO and Streamable HTTP transports

Configuration

Bun v1.3.2 or higher (or Node.js v24+). - A free USDA FDC API key — register at api.data.gov/signup. The key is required; without it the server will not start.

More MCP options

Compare MCP servers by category, or browse hosted MCP servers if you prefer an endpoint over a local process.

Maintainer setup documentation.

Recorded tools

Check the linked publisher documentation and your connected client's tool list. Names and availability can vary with the server version and account permissions.

Tool	What it does
usda_search_foods	Search foods by keyword across SR Legacy, Foundation, Survey FNDDS, and Branded data sources, with nutrient preview and pagination
usda_get_food	Full nutrient profile for one food by FDC ID, with optional per-portion scaling (g, oz, lb, kg, or serving)
usda_get_foods	Batch nutrient fetch for 2–20 FDC IDs in a single request; failed IDs reported in failed[] instead of aborting
usda_compare_foods	Side-by-side nutrient comparison for 2–5 foods, formatted as a markdown table scaled to a common gram basis
usda_list_nutrients	Static FDC nutrient reference table (~150 nutrients) with IDs, names, units, and categories — no API call required

How to install the Usda MCP Server

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "usda-mcp-server": {
      "type": "stdio",
      "command": "bunx",
      "args": ["@cyanheads/usda-mcp-server@latest"],
      "env": {
        "MCP_TRANSPORT_TYPE": "stdio",
        "MCP_LOG_LEVEL": "info",
        "USDA_FDC_API_KEY": "your-api-key"
      }
    }
  }
}

Configuration as documented by the project. Restart the client after saving.

Configuration

Bun v1.3.2 or higher (or Node.js v24+). - A free USDA FDC API key — register at api.data.gov/signup. The key is required; without it the server will not start.

Variable	Description	Required
MCP_TRANSPORT_TYPE	Configuration value read at startup.	Optional
MCP_LOG_LEVEL	Configuration value read at startup.	Optional
USDA_FDC_API_KEY	Credential the server authenticates with.	Yes

Example prompts to try

“Use Usda to usda search foods.”
“Use Usda to usda get food.”
“Use Usda to usda get foods.”

Frequently asked questions

Search foods, compare nutrients, and look up the full USDA FoodData Central database. Confirm the tools offered by your installed version in the connected client. Tool availability and permissions depend on the server and account configuration.