In the early days of the Trump Administration, executive orders paused foreign development assistance. These orders halted current and new foreign aid obligations, including Food Aid programs that purchase U.S. produced wheat.
As part of the administration’s continued efforts to improve these programs, including the Food for Peace initiative, national commodity groups and industry partners acted quickly to capitalize on an opportunity to revisit the programs. Their goal was to minimize the impact of federal freezes on farmers while ensuring the programs remain effective and resilient.
On February 11 new legislation was introduced to move the Food for Peace international food assistance program under the USDA’s administration. This legislation is sponsored by Representatives Tracy Mann of Kansas, Rick Crawford of Arkansas, Dan Newhouse of Washington, David Rouzer of North Carolina and House Agriculture Committee Chairman GT Thompson of Pennsylvania, along with Sens. Jerry Moran of Kansas, and John Hoeven of North Dakota.
“As part of an ongoing effort to save money and increase efficiency, Food for Peace should be moved to the U.S. Department of Agriculture,” said Sen. Jerry Moran. “By moving this program closer to the producers who grow these crops, we can help reduce waste and make certain our farmers have access to this valuable market. Food stability is essential to political stability, and our food aid programs help feed the hungry, bolster our national security and provide important markets for our farmers.”
U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) and the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) recently released a statement describing their full support of this legislation.
“U.S. Wheat has long been proud of the role our farmers play in feeding hungry populations around the world,” said USW President Vince Peterson. “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 have consistently advocated for “keeping the food in food aid” and have voiced concerns about the increasing shift in food assistance programs toward cash donations and buying commodities from U.S. competitors.
“NAWG welcomes this legislation that supports American farmers while working to address hunger around the world,” said NAWG CEO Chandler Goule. “Each year, the Food for Peace program buys more than one 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, this 71-year-old program will feed more people more efficiently and effectively without losing track of starting American foreign policy at home with American farmers.”
After Sen. Jerry Moran’s introduction to the senate floor, this legislation will be assigned to a committee for further review.
Click HERE to watch Sen. Moran’s floor speech.
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