On September 21, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) will invest $455 million to strengthen global food security and capacity-building initiatives. The funding will be allocated to the USDA's McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program and the Food for Progress Program.
The McGovern-Dole program has been a global school feeding program for over two decades, benefiting over 31 million children and families in 48 countries. It has provided more than 5.5 billion school meals and has supported programs through U.S.-donated commodities and technical and financial assistance.
The investment will support the McGovern-Dole program in its mission to combat hunger and advance education by providing goods directly to hungry schoolchildren. This year, projects in Cameroon, Haiti, Mozambique, Nepal, Nicaragua, Sri Lanka, and Togo will be part of the program.
The Food for Progress Program, on the other hand, aims to improve agricultural productivity and expand trade of agricultural products. It plays a critical role in reducing food insecurity by promoting global climate-smart agriculture adaptation and increasing production capacity. This year, projects in Bangladesh, Cote d'Ivoire, The Gambia, Lesotho, Mauritania, Nepal, and Togo will receive funding from the program.
According to a press release, more than 375,000 metric tons of U.S. commodities will be used in the investment. The earnings from the sale of products included in the Food for Progress program will be reinvested to increase short- and long-term food security through the development of agricultural value chains and trade-promoting initiatives.
Before investing in a project, the USDA conducts evaluations to ensure that local production, markets, and American business interests are not harmed. The department also continuously monitors and works to maintain the effectiveness of its food security initiatives while aligning budget commitments with the world's current nutritional needs.
The McGovern-Dole and Food for Progress programs have been successful in addressing food security challenges in various countries. Last year, Burundi joined these initiatives for the first time. Through the McGovern-Dole program, over 8,000 children in Burundi now receive daily school meals and literacy programs, thanks to the provision of American and locally produced goods. The Food for Progress Program is also assisting the Burundi Better Coffee Initiative, which aims to boost the earnings and resiliency of 60,000 farming households.
With this investment, the USDA reaffirms its commitment to strengthening global food security and supporting education through its renowned food security programs.
