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The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service is seeking stakeholder input regarding implementation of a $50-million pilot project to include non-traditional, shelf-stable U.S.-grown commodities in the U.S. government’s international food assistance programs. A Request for Information was published in the Federal Register on Fri., July 19, at https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2024-15919. Comments are due to FAS by Fri., Aug. 23.
Background
In October 2023, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack authorized the use of $1 billion in Credit Commodity Corporation funds to bolster the U.S. government’s ongoing efforts to address global hunger through the purchase of additional U.S.-grown commodities. Of the $1 billion, $50 million was set aside for a pilot program focused on commodities that have not traditionally been part of U.S. international food assistance programming, but that are shelf-stable and suitable for use in feeding food-insecure populations.
As USDA and the U.S. Agency for International Development prepare to implement the pilot, FAS is seeking input from all interested stakeholders regarding potential commodities and related factors such as cost, shipping, handling, storage, preparation/use, intended beneficiaries, shelf life, and nutrition.
This initiative supports the Biden-Harris Administration’s efforts under USDA to ensure the availability of safe and nutritious food for all, both at home and abroad, and to create new market opportunities for U.S. agricultural producers.
For additional information, email ppded@usda.gov.
