USDA to buy $452 million in commodities for food aid
Agriculture Undersecretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Luke Lindberg announced Tuesday USDA intends to enter into an agreement with the UN World Food Programme to deliver up to $452 million in fiscal year (FY) 2025 Food for Peace assistance.
“The funding will help U.S. producers move American-grown food to people in need around the world, sending nearly 211,000 tons of U.S. agricultural goods to people in need in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Haiti, Kenya and Rwanda,” USDA said in a news release.
“America’s farmers and ranchers are the best in the world — and have a great bounty of high-quality products to share with the world. I am thrilled USDA can make that happen through America First international food assistance programs,” Lindberg said in a news release. “Under USDA, the Food for Peace program will benefit American farmers and producers and help people in need around the world in a way that respects hardworking American taxpayers.”
Previously administered by the U.S. Agency for International Development, Food for Peace is now being implemented by USDA under an inter-agency agreement.
USDA anticipates issuing this initial Food for Peace award to WFP, which will lead to purchases of bulk and formulated U.S. agricultural commodities by March. Such commodities include ready-to-use supplemental food (RUSF), wheat, Corn-Soy Blend Plus, beans, peas, lentils, rice, sorghum and vegetable oil. Additional Food for Peace awards will be posted publicly as funds become available.
While the total award includes a mix of bulk and processed commodities across a total of seven countries, 31,000 metric tons (1.14 million bushels) of U.S. wheat are expected to be programmed across several countries, U.S. Wheat Associates, an export promotion group, said.
“Transitioning administration of the Food for Peace program to USDA is already paying off for U.S. wheat farmers,” said Amanda Hoey, CEO of the Oregon Wheat Commission and chair of the U.S. Wheat Associates Food Aid Working Group. “We appreciate U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins for reaffirming to the world that the United States is not just a seller of grain, but a dedicated partner in global food security. Under her leadership, we are excited that this program’s successful track record continues in supporting both those in need today and our customers of tomorrow.”
National Association of Wheat Growers CEO Sam Kieffer said, “NAWG applauds USDA’s intent to purchase U.S. commodities for international food aid. U.S.-grown wheat is a cornerstone of global food security and humanitarian response, while driving demand for American-grown crops supporting rural economies, farm families, and America’s leadership abroad. This announcement underscores why NAWG supports USDA implementing the Food for Peace program, and we urge Congress to codify this move to provide long-term certainty and durability.”
The National Milk Producers Federation and U.S. Dairy Export Council today commended USDA for including support for ready-to-use supplementary foods that incorporate milk powders.
NMPF President and CEO Gregg Doud said, “This common-sense program supports the U.S. dairy producers who supply milk powders used in RUSF while treating those most in need.”
USDEC President and CEO Krysta Harden said, “Our farmers and manufacturers supply the milk powder used in these vital, lifesaving products that are used to treat chronic malnutrition worldwide.”
“This announcement has been in the works for many months and could not have come at a better time,” said USA Rice President and CEO Peter Bachmann. “While the U.S. rice industry has long been involved in supporting Food for Peace program recipients, the program has essentially been dormant for the last year while the administration reviewed and evaluated program efficiencies. We are grateful for the administration taking this step and grabbing the reins to administer it moving forward.”
