Bipartisan backing grows to shift program to USDA
Bipartisan lawmakers and agricultural groups are rallying to move the Food for Peace program from the U.S. Department of State to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). This effort, supported by a multi-industry fly-in, gained momentum as Representative Tom Suozzi joined 48 Republican sponsors of H.R.1207 and S.525.
Food for Peace is the only in-kind food assistance program using U.S.-grown commodities that is not currently managed by the USDA. Advocates from wheat, sorghum, soybean, milling, maritime, and rail industries met with lawmakers to stress urgency, noting that the State Department has not purchased any wheat this year despite large U.S. stocks.
The program, started more than 70 years ago by U.S. wheat farmers to help post-war Europe, now faces delays and underspending. Historically, it has shipped about one million tons of wheat annually to feed millions worldwide.
Supporters argue the USDA is better equipped to handle this mission because it already runs similar programs such as McGovern-Dole Food for Education and Food for Progress.
“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 push comes as Congress considers consolidating food assistance programs. With a divided Congress, backers hope to attach the measure to a must-pass bill like agricultural appropriations or the upcoming Farm Bill.
Farmers emphasize that the goal remains true to the program’s roots—using U.S. harvests to fight hunger and build future markets. They believe the USDA’s agricultural focus will ensure that America’s farmers, millers, and shippers stay key partners in delivering food to those in need.
Photo Credits: gettyimages-valentinrussanov