Tom Vilsack Secretary of U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) | Official Website
The U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Agency for International Development have announced a significant initiative to provide emergency food assistance to those in need globally. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and USAID Administrator Samantha Power revealed that $1 billion in Commodity Credit Corporation funding will be utilized to purchase U.S.-grown commodities for this purpose.
Secretary Vilsack emphasized the importance of American farmers in this effort, stating, "America’s farmers are the most productive and efficient in the world, and we rely on them to supply safe and nutritious food not only to our nation, but to the global community." Administrator Power echoed this sentiment, highlighting the crucial role of American farmers in extending support to hungry communities worldwide.
The initiative, initially announced by USDA in October 2023, aims to combat global hunger by purchasing U.S.-grown commodities and working in collaboration with USAID to ensure the distribution of these essential food supplies to those in need across the globe. An initial tranche of approximately $950 million will support the purchase, shipment, and distribution of various commodities, aligning with traditional USAID international food assistance programming.
In addition to the primary funding, a separate pilot project of up to $50 million will be established to explore the use of U.S. commodities not traditionally included in international food assistance programs but deemed suitable for feeding food-insecure populations.
USAID has identified 18 countries for the initial round of support, including Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Nigeria, and Sudan, among others. These countries will receive emergency food assistance to address the pressing issue of food insecurity affecting millions worldwide.
This initiative comes at a critical time, with an estimated 205 million people in need of life-saving food assistance globally and 768 million facing chronic hunger, according to the Global Report on Food Crises and the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization.
The efforts of USDA and USAID align with the Biden-Harris Administration's commitment to addressing emergency food needs globally and promoting food security in vulnerable populations. By injecting additional food assistance into the identified countries, resources can be freed up to respond to emerging crises worldwide when necessary.
Through this collaborative effort, USDA and USAID are working towards a more resilient and equitable food system, ensuring access to safe and nutritious food for communities in need while supporting local farmers and producers. To learn more about this initiative and USDA's broader transformation of America's food system, visit www.usda.gov.