Posted on February, 12, 2025 at 07:54 pm
Legislation introduced in the US Congress to move the Food for Peace international food assistance program under the administration of the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) is being praised by American milling and grain industry groups.
The 70-year-old Food for Peace program had been overseen by the US Agency for International Development (USAID), which has been dismantled by the President Trump administration amid its focus on foreign aid spending and budget cuts.
The North American Millers’ Association (NAMA) noted Food for Peace has fed more than 4 billion people in more than 150 countries over the decades as an essential component of US foreign aid to countries in need.
“Our nation’s millers take great pride in feeding those facing famine emergencies around the world with highly nutritious grains,” said Kim Z. Cooper, vice president, government affairs, NAMA. “Our flagship emergency food aid program, Food for Peace, not only helps those abroad but is a critical component of buy American and America first policies. This legislation would allow Food for Peace to operate under USDA, and reinstate this critical, life-saving program.”
US Wheat Associates (USW) and the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) issued a joint statement welcoming the legislation as well.
“US wheat has long been proud of the role our farmers play in feeding hungry populations around the world,” said Vince Peterson, president, USW. “Realigning administration of Food for Peace, our flagship global hunger program, to USDA makes perfect sense and ensures that the agency most closely connected with food is equipped to deliver wholesome food from American farmers to those who most need it.”
USW and NAWG said they have long advocated for “keeping the food in food aid” and have expressed frustration at growing trends in food assistance programs of cash donations and commodity purchases from US competitors.
“NAWG welcomes this legislation that supports American farmers while working to address hunger around the world,” said Chandler Goule, chief executive officer, NAWG. “Each year, the Food for Peace program buys more than 1 million metric tons of food, including wheat, to feed millions of starving people in the poorest countries around the world. Under USDA, Food for Peace will feed more people more efficiently and effectively without losing track of starting American foreign policy at home with American farmers.”
This legislation also is supported by the American Soybean Association (ASA) and the National Sorghum Producers (NSP).
“US soybeans play an important role in addressing global hunger,” said Caleb Ragland, president, ASA. “Soybeans are the only plant-based protein that provides all nine amino acids essential for human health, and our farmers have been proud to support international food assistance programs. ASA strongly supports efforts to protect these programs and to ensure US grown commodities continue to feed vulnerable populations around the globe.”
Amy France, chairwoman, NSP, added: “National Sorghum Producers supports this legislation that would move US food aid programs under the US Department of Agriculture, a move that makes sense and would ensure the long-term viability and success of these programs by continuing to provide a critical market for American sorghum farmers and the ability to move grain from our fields to the hands of those in need around the world.”
Source: World Grain