The North American Millers' Association (NAMA) and other key agricultural organizations have announced their support for newly introduced bipartisan legislation that seeks to transfer the administration of the Food for Peace program from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
The bill, introduced in both the House and Senate, has garnered support from key agricultural leaders, including Representatives Tracey Mann, Rick Crawford, Dan Newhouse, David Rouzer, and House Agriculture Committee Chair G.T. Thompson, along with Senators Jerry Moran and John Hoeven. This move comes as the Trump Administration continues its audit of federal agencies and programs.
Caleb Ragland, American Soybean Association (ASA) president and a soybean farmer from Kentucky, emphasized the importance of the program, stating, "U.S. soybeans play an important role in addressing global hunger. Soybeans are the only plant-based protein that provides all nine amino acids essential for human health, and our farmers have been proud to support international food assistance programs."
The Food for Peace program has been instrumental in combating global hunger for over 70 years, providing aid to more than 4 billion people across 150 countries. In fiscal year 2024, USAID procured approximately $110 million worth of U.S. soy for the program.
Kim Z Cooper, Vice President of Government Affairs at NAMA, added, "Our nation's millers take great pride in feeding those facing famine emergencies around the world with highly nutritious grains. This legislation would allow Food for Peace to operate under USDA, and reinstate this critical, life-saving program."
U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) President Vince Peterson and National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) CEO Chandler Goule also expressed their support for the legislation, highlighting its potential to improve efficiency and effectiveness in delivering U.S.-grown food to those in need while supporting American farmers.
The ASA also voiced support for the restoration of program funding for the 19 Feed the Future Agriculture Innovation Labs housed at land-grant universities, including the Soy Innovation Lab. These facilities support critical research to combat agricultural challenges in underdeveloped countries and expand markets for U.S. soybean farmers.
This proposed shift to USDA administration is expected to streamline the program's operations and potentially increase its effectiveness in delivering U.S.-grown food to those in need around the world, while simultaneously supporting American farmers and agricultural industries. The move aligns with Buy American and America First policies, reinforcing the United States' commitment to global food security and its agricultural sector.
