The North American Millers’ Association (NAMA) on June 22 applauded the introduction of the bipartisan American Farmers Feed the World Act of 2023 by Representatives Tracey Mann (R-KS), John Garamendi (D-CA), Rick Crawford (R-AR), and Jimmy Panetta (D-CA). The use of American-grown commodities in international food aid has been a cornerstone of U.S. foreign assistance programs for decades. However, over time these proven programs have shifted to cash vouchers and purchasing commodities from international competitors. Click here for more information about the bill. The American Farmers Feed the World Act would “put the food back into food aid” by restoring Food for Peace to its roots as a purely in-kind commodity donation program and requiring that at least half of all Food for Peace funds be used to purchase American commodities and ship them overseas, minimizing administrative costs. It would also end the practice of using American taxpayer dollars to purchase commodities from U.S. agricultural competitors and the use of cash vouchers. These changes will allow Food for Peace to reach millions more beneficiaries. "U.S. millers are proud of the role they play in alleviating world hunger through food aid. We applaud Representatives Mann, Garamendi, Crawford, and Panetta for championing this effort to bolster U.S. international food assistance at zero cost to the American taxpayer,” said Kim Cooper, NAMA Senior Director of Government Affairs. “These reforms are long overdue and will ensure the longevity of these critical, life-saving programs by restoring them to their roots of being purely in-kind donation programs." The current farm bill was signed into law in 2018 and is due to be reauthorized by September 30, 2023, providing a critical opportunity for action on this issue. Nearly 60 organizations have endorsed the American Farmers Feed the World Act so far. Click here to learn more about NAMA’s international food aid priorities. | 