U.S. Rice Looks to Answer Call on USDA Food Assistance Grants

 
Jul 06, 2016
Food aid gets a nutrition boost from fortified rice
Fortified-Rice-Kernels
WASHINGTON, DC -- Last week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced its FY2016 food assistance grants.  USDA will provide U.S. commodities and financial and technical support to food-insecure communities in Africa, Asia, and Central America through the Food for Progress Program and McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition (McGovern-Dole) Program, benefitting more than 6.1 million vulnerable people worldwide.  U.S.-grown rice is expected to continue as a major player in both programs.

For FY16, USDA committed $160 million to fund eight projects under the Food for Progress program that aims to improve the agricultural supply chain in target countries through the monetization of U.S. commodities, including rice.  USDA also committed $195.5 million to support nine projects through the McGovern-Dole Program, that is aimed at reducing hunger, boosting school enrollment, and improving literacy through school feeding programs and related activities.

The 2016 USDA commitment includes both direct financial support and the donation of U.S.-produced rice and other commodities.  

“Rice is the most requested commodity in USDA’s McGovern-Dole program and we expect programming will increase even more with the new introduction of fortified rice, which has eight essential micronutrients targeted to fight hidden hunger,” says USA Rice Food Aid Subcommittee Chairman Jamie Warshaw.  “It’s great to see the U.S. government invest in nutrition to help millions of people.  It makes our industry feel proud to be a part of creating a food-secure world.”


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