International food assistance in fiscal year 2012 will benefit nearly 10-million people worldwide. Acting Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services Michael Scuse says USDA’s Food for Progress and the McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition programs are important tools in the U.S. effort to support global food security and sustainable agriculture production. The world’s population is expected to top 9.3-billion by 2050 – and Scuse says these programs lay the foundation on which food-insecure nations can meet the needs of their citizens and build more vibrant economies.

Under these food aid programs – USDA purchases U.S. commodities and donates them to government agencies and private-voluntary organizations in targeted countries. USDA will donate U.S.-produced corn-soy blend, cornmeal, dehydrated potato flakes, dried beans, lentils, rice, sorghum, soy oil, soybeans, soybean meal, vegetable oil and wheat.

Courtesy:  NAFB News