flumpet, hope you have a wonderful trip.

It is a little bit of extra trouble to bring food into the US, but not a lot. Don't be tempted to try to circumvent the regs; that can cause you a lot of trouble. Pack all food items in your carry-on luggage, preferable on top (so that you can get to it easily).

There will be a place on the US Customs Declaration form to note if you are bringing in any food or agricultural products. Be sure to check "yes" for any categories that apply to you.

When you've passed through Immigration and picked up your luggage, head for the "Agriculture" screening area. Someone will ask you what you're bringing in. They may or may not want to x-ray the suitcase. They may or may not want to look at your foods.

We bring in food all the time; sometimes we are just waved through. Lately, the screening has been a little more thorough, especially when we bring in cheese or anything in a can. Sometimes they have sniffer dogs around the luggage pickup. Don't be surprised (or alarmed) if the dog gets excited about your luggage that has cheese in it. Make sure you bring cured, not "fresh" cheese.

When we come from the UK, my husband always wants to bring Stilton, marmalade and demerara sugar (in case you want other gift ideas). The marmalade is a bit of a pain, because it's heavy and in glass jars.

"Travelers' Tips" is available as a PDF at
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/oa/pubs/usdatips.pdf