Hutchins, James A., 1917-2002

James A. Hutchins Jr., an alumnus of the University of North Carolina, grew up in Winston-Salem, N.C. He came to Chapel Hill on a scholarship to play tennis, but wound up playing football instead, becoming a star fullback for the University of North Carolina Tar Heels. In 1939, he accepted his first job with the United States Department of Agriculture. Hutchins served in the United States Navy during World War II, after which he returned to the Department of Agriculture. At the Department of Agriculture, Hutchins worked against rural and urban hunger and helped create one of the nation's first school lunch programs. He also served as the chief of the Department of Agriculture's Direct Distribution Branch, where he coordinated programs in 84 countries, and as the head of the federal government's Commodity Credit Corporation, where he helped stabilize and protect domestic prices and farm income. Hutchins married Marguerite Hutchins in 1940; the couple had three children: Julia, Alex, and Glenn.

From the description of James A. Hutchins scrapbook and other papers, 1927-1987 (bulk 1930s-1940s). WorldCat record id: 505870066

James A. Hutchins Jr. (1917-2002), an alumnus of the University of North Carolina, grew up in Winston-Salem, N.C. He came to Chapel Hill on a scholarship to play tennis, but wound up playing football instead. As a star fullback for the University of North Carolina Tar Heels, Hutchins was chosen for All-Southern three years in a row, made the All-Southern Conference first team in 1936, and earned an Honorable Mention by the All-American Board in 1934. In 1939, he accepted his first job with the United States Department of Agriculture. Hutchins served in the United States Navy during World War II, after which he returned to the Department of Agriculture. At the Department of Agriculture, Hutchins worked against rural and urban hunger and helped create one of the nation's first school lunch programs. He also served as the chief of the Department of Agriculture's Direct Distribution Branch, where he coordinated programs in 84 countries, and as the head of the federal government's Commodity Credit Corporation, where he helped stabilize and protect domestic prices and farm income.

Hutchins married Marguerite Hutchins in 1940; the couple had three children: Julia, Alex, and Glenn. The Hutchins Forum and the Center for the Study of the American South's public lecture series at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill are named in his honor.

From the guide to the James A. Hutchins Scrapbook and Other Papers, 1927-1987, (bulk 1930s-1940s), (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Library. Southern Historical Collection.)