Yesterday, Senators Mike Braun (R-IN), Jon Tester (D-WY), Roger Marshall (R-KS) and Pete Ricketts (R-NE) introduced the bipartisan “American Farmers Feed the World Act” to enhance the role of American farmers in the Food for Peace (FFP) program while promoting transparency and accountability in its operations. The proposed legislation aims to prioritize American-grown food in international aid programs worldwide, ensuring that it takes precedence over foreign competitors. It also seeks to optimize funding allocation for more efficient hunger relief without requiring additional taxpayer dollars.
ASA Director Monte Peterson (ND) was quoted in the press release from Senator Braun’s office, where he voiced support for the reforms proposed in the legislation. “U.S. soy is a powerhouse for global food security. Soy is the only plant protein to offer all the essential amino acids necessary for human nutrition, and soy products such as corn-soy-blend and soy-based vegetable oil have served as staples for emergency response in at least 88 countries throughout the world. ASA is strongly supportive of the reforms proposed in the American Farmers Feed the World Act of 2023,” said Peterson. “These reforms will ensure the programs remain focused on in-kind food assistance and that high-quality, high-protein U.S. soy continues to play a role in addressing global hunger.”
Key provisions of the American Farmers Feed the World Act include:
- Reserving 50% of FFP funding for purchasing commodities and shipping them abroad.
- Reducing the maximum share for 202(e) spending in FFP from 20% to 10%.
- Transferring key decision-making authority from USAID to USDA.
- Prohibiting the use of food vouchers or cash transfers in place of actual food.
- Enhancing reporting requirements regarding any waivers granted under FFP.
Read the bill text here.
