USDA Invests $466.5 Million in Global Food Assistance and Agricultural Development

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced a significant investment of $466.5 million aimed at enhancing global food security through two of its leading international development programs. The announcement was made by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack during the Clinton Global Initiative 2024 annual meeting, reflecting the USDA’s commitment to addressing hunger, poverty, and the global impacts of climate change.

In fiscal year 2024, the USDA will allocate $248 million for the McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program, which focuses on providing school meals and enhancing literacy, particularly for girls, in nine countries. This program, a significant contributor to global school feeding initiatives, is expected to benefit over 1.2 million children and their families across 2,800 schools in nations like Angola, Bangladesh, Ethiopia, and Rwanda. Of the total allocation, $24 million will be used to procure local and regional commodities, complementing U.S.-donated supplies, in line with the 2018 Farm Bill.

The USDA’s second initiative, Food for Progress, will receive $218.5 million to assist seven countries, including Benin, Cambodia, and Madagascar, in strengthening agricultural systems and implementing climate-smart technologies. These projects, which will distribute 315,000 metric tons of U.S.-grown commodities, aim to support around 200,000 farmers. They focus on enhancing agricultural productivity, improving trade facilitation, and adhering to sanitary and phytosanitary standards.

Both programs are key components of USDA's comprehensive strategy to address hunger, poverty, and the climate crisis. By collaborating with both public and private partners, the USDA not only provides direct food assistance but also promotes sustainable agricultural practices and trade development in target countries. Implementing organizations, such as the United Nations World Food Program, play a critical role in distributing U.S. commodities and supporting local development initiatives.

These efforts align with the USDA's broader mission of fostering long-term food security through addressing critical issues such as climate change and global trade.