Restu98 / Depositphotos.com
Efforts to move the “Food for Peace” program under the administration of the U.S. Department of Agriculture garnered bipartisan support, in conjunction with support from a multi-industry fly-in. Democratic Representative, Tom Suozzi (NY-03) joined 48 Republican sponsors of H.R.1207 and S.525, which would shift the international food assistance program to the USDA. The program is currently housed in the U.S. Department of State, where the program landed after its original administrator, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), was dismantled earlier this year.
The Food for Peace program is the only in-kind food assistance program using U.S.-grown commodities that is not currently administered by the USDA. Fly-in advocates – representing wheat, sorghum, soybean commodity groups, the milling industry and maritime and rail interests – worked to convey a sense of urgency to lawmakers as the program remains in a near stall. Timing is also critical as other congressional efforts aim to consolidate other food assistance programs currently housed at the USDA within the State Department.
“It has been incredibly frustrating for wheat farmers to see increased stocks of competitively priced wheat sitting unused while the State Department has yet to make a single wheat purchase since taking over the program,” said Jamie Kress, NAWG vice president and Idaho wheat farmer, who participated in the fly-in. “This program routinely utilizes around one million tons of wheat annually, but now is in real danger of not shipping any wheat this year. The program likely will leave substantial funds unspent at the end of the fiscal year on September 30, despite a long history of success.”
The Food for Peace program was originally started by U.S. wheat farmers, who continue to champion the program that supplies in-kind donations of food products. A Kansas farmer proposed donating food products like wheat during a local Farm Bureau meeting as a way to support populations recovering from World War II while large post-war wheat stocks were available. Over the next 71 years, the program has fed millions of hungry people around the world.
More than just preserving a legacy of successful outcomes, fly-in participants also argued that the USDA is actually best positioned to maximize the program’s limited dollars. USDA already operates the other in-kind international feeding programs, including the McGovern-Dole Food for Education and the development-focused Food for Progress programs. Like these other programs, Food for Peace is authorized by the Farm Bill and falls under the jurisdiction of the agricultural appropriations subcommittees.
“Moving Food for Peace to the USDA will help keep the food in food aid,” said Anthony Peña, NAWG policy manager. “The State Department has consistently leaned toward cash or voucher-based assistance; the USDA has the expertise and infrastructure to deliver U.S.-grown commodities like wheat directly to people in need.”
“Additionally, within the much larger State Department, Food for Peace risks being treated as just another budget line, rather than a lifeline for millions of people. USDA’s focus on agriculture ensures that U.S. farmers, millers and shippers remain engaged partners in delivering the world’s most effective hunger program.”
Even though now the legislation is now bipartisan, there is little chance of the bills moving on their own in this deadlocked Congressional environment of the Food for Peace bills. Instead, the hope among fly-in participants was to build support and push for inclusion in another must-pass legislative vehicle, like the Senate agricultural appropriations bill or Farm Bill reauthorization.
The ultimate goal remains the same as the program’s original intent – there is power in humanitarian assistance and U.S. farmers support the work to feed both those in need today and those who will be their future customers.
U.S. Wheat Associates
Comments