A graphic developed by USDA as the consumer guide to implementing the dietary guidelines in their own food choices. It consists of a six food groups and suggests the foods and number of servings from each group that should be consumed daily. At the bottom is the grains group, of which 6-11 servings should be consumed daily. The next level up contains the vegetable group (3-5 servings) and the fruits group (2-4 servings). The third level contains the dairy group (2-3 servings) and the protein group (2-3 servings). At the top of the pyramid is the group that should be eaten sparingly, which includes fats, oils and sweets. USDA published a Kids’ Food Pyramid in the spring of 1999.