WASHINGTON, DC, US — Bipartisan legislation addressing how the United States distributes aid through the Food for Peace program has been introduced as part of ongoing farm bill negotiations with wide support from US agricultural organizations who say the program needs to be refocused on domestic commodities.

US Representatives Tracey Mann, John Garamendi, Rick Crawford and Jimmy Panetta introduced “American Farmers Feed the World Act of 2023,” which they say is an effort to restore the original intent of the Food for Peace program without spending additional farm bill resources and safeguard the interests of US farmers.

The North American Millers’ Association (NAMA), US Wheat Associates (USW) and National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) joined other agricultural groups in lauding the act’s introduction on June 22.

The use of American-grown commodities in international food aid has been a cornerstone of US foreign assistance programs for decades. However, critics say that over time Food for Peace has shifted to cash vouchers that have been used to purchase commodities from international competitors. 

The American Farmers Feed the World Act would require that at least half of all Food for Peace funds be used to purchase American commodities and ship them overseas, which supporters say would minimize administrative costs and feed more people. It would also end the practice of using US funds to purchase commodities from US agricultural competitors and the use of cash vouchers. 

“US millers are proud of the role they play in alleviating world hunger through food aid,” said Kim Cooper, senior director of government affairs, NAMA. “These reforms are long overdue and will ensure the longevity of these critical, life-saving programs by restoring them to their roots of being purely in-kind donation programs.”

Peter Laudeman, director of trade policy, USW, represented the group in the effort to push the legislation forward. He said USW members have been frustrated with program funds being used to purchase wheat and other commodities from global competitors.

“The reforms in the American Farmers Feed the World Act of 2023 will ensure that more food gets to more people in need throughout the world, without spending any additional resources,” Laudeman said at a press conference following the bill’s introduction. “American agriculture has played a critical role in addressing global hunger going back to the beginning of Food for Peace in 1954. We are excited to see this bill restore that role as Congress has always intended.”

Brent Cheyne, president of NAWG and an Oregon wheat farmer said the legislation “allows us, American wheat farmers, to share our production and contribute to the fight against global hunger. … It demonstrates our commitment to providing food aid to vulnerable populations while supporting our farmers.”