The U.S. shipped 28,420 metric tons of Louisiana rice and 19,980 metric tons of hard red winter wheat to Kenya aboard the Liberty Grace as part of the Food for Peace program, with the World Food Programme estimating the shipment will feed over one million people for an entire year. This marks the second bulk vessel USDA has shipped this summer and reflects the agency's new leadership role in administering the humanitarian food aid initiative.
- Shipment size: 28,420 metric tons of Louisiana rice plus 19,980 metric tons of U.S. hard red winter wheat bound for Kenya's Port of Mombasa
- Impact: The World Food Programme estimates this cargo will feed more than one million people for an entire year
- Program history: U.S. farmers have supported Food for Peace for over 70 years, helping feed more than 4 billion people in 150+ countries
- USDA leadership: This shipment marks the shift of Food for Peace program administration to the U.S. Department of Agriculture
- Annual commitment: U.S. wheat alone routinely provides around 1 million metric tons annually for global food assistance
U.S. wheat and rice organizations joined federal officials and maritime industry representatives Friday morning at the Port of New Orleans to celebrate the latest Food for Peace shipment bound for Kenya.
The U.S.-flagged Liberty Grace was loaded with 28,420 metric tons of Louisiana rice and will travel to Houston to take on 19,980 metric tons of U.S. hard red winter wheat before departing for the Port of Mombasa. The World Food Programme estimates the shipment will feed more than one million people facing starvation for an entire year.
The event also marked the shift of Food for Peace program administration to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. USDA Deputy Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Michelle Bekkering attended in recognition of the agency’s new leadership role.
“The shipment we’re sending to help those in dire need around the world is a testament not only to the abundance of U.S. agriculture, but more importantly, to the generosity of the American farmer and the bounty they produce,” Bekkering said. “This massive shipment also showcases the strength of our historic partnership with U.S. commodity groups, our friends at our merchant marine workforce, and the World Food Program.”
This marks the second bulk vessel loaded with Food for Peace donations that USDA has shipped this summer. The earlier departure of the U.S.-flagged Liberty Glory from Houston carried 9,200 metric tons of U.S. hard red winter wheat and 37,700 metric tons of U.S. sorghum bound for Ethiopia.
U.S. Wheat Associates Chairman Gary Millershaski, a Kansas wheat farmer, said wheat farmers have supported food aid assistance for more than 70 years, since a northwest Kansas farmer first proposed sharing abundant harvests to help feed those in need.
“This bulk vessel will carry U.S.-grown wheat across the ocean to help feed hungry families,” Millershaski said. “As a farmer, this echoes the lessons I was taught being raised on the farm: If a neighbor is in need, you lend a helping hand. It’s just what we do.”
National Association of Wheat Growers President Jamie Kress, an Idaho farmer, said U.S.-grown wheat serves as a cornerstone of global food security and humanitarian response.
“USDA has been an outstanding partner in administering the Food for Peace program, and we urge congress to make this transfer permanent,” Kress said.
U.S. farmers have helped feed more than four billion people in more than 150 countries through the program, which has strong support from organizations representing farmers, millers and maritime workers, including U.S. Wheat Associates, the National Association of Wheat Growers, USA Rice Federation, National Sorghum Producers and the North American Millers’ Association.
Matthew Nims, director of the World Food Programme Washington Office, said over the past decade, nearly $5 billion in food has been purchased from U.S. farmers and producers through Food for Peace and donated to WFP.
“The U.S. government through USDA, along with farmers, producers, shippers and port workers are helping WFP save lives, and together, we are building a more stable and food secure future for all,” Nims said.
USA Rice Chair John Owen, a Louisiana rice farmer, said the 28,420 metric tons of Louisiana rice will play a vital role in helping feed those facing famine.
“At a time when our rice markets are in dire need, this in-kind commodity donation is a shot in the arm for our industry and makes us more optimistic about the future of Food for Peace under USDA’s leadership,” Owen said.
U.S.-grown wheat has remained an important commodity for food assistance, often representing half of the bulk in-kind aid and routinely using around one million metric tons of U.S. wheat annually.
