USA Rice's Jesica Kincaid tells the story of fortified rice, a must have food aid product
May 07, 2024
WASHINGTON, DC – Last week, USA Rice co-sponsored the inaugural International Food Aid Showcase at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The event brought together representatives of USDA and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) from the government side, commodity groups whose products are used in assistance programs, and Private Volunteer Organizations (PVOs) to share insights about successes and challenges in international food assistance.
To kick off the day, the more than 200 attendees heard from USDA Senior Director of the International Food Assistance Division Shane Danielson; USDA Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy Anne Knapke; and USAID Deputy Assistant to the Administrator Matt Nims, all of whom spoke passionately about the importance of their respective programs and the people they support, as well as the necessity of the critical cross-industry collaboration that must take place for these programs to be successful. The upcoming $1 billion in Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) funding earmarked for international food aid was also highlighted, with the first tenders using these funds expected to be released soon.
Next on the agenda was a panel made up of farmers, millers, shipping experts, and PVO staff, representing each stage of the food assistance supply chain: production of commodities, milling and packaging, international shipping and delivery, and on-the-ground distribution and program implementation. Discussion centered on a number of current food aid challenges including rising costs, new and ongoing natural and man-made disasters, and shipping disruptions on the Red Sea.
Texas rice producer and Chair of USA Rice Farmers LG Raun represented the U.S. rice industry on the panel and expressed what it means, as a producer, to contribute to the life-saving USDA and USAID programs supported by U.S. grown commodities. “I was honored to represent the U.S. rice industry at this first International Food Aid Showcase,” said Raun. “U.S. grown rice, both regular milled and fortified, is a critical and growing tool in the fight against hunger and malnutrition, a trend that looks to continue in the coming months and years.”
A gallery walk was held to round out the day, giving participants the chance to share information and product samples. USA Rice staff were there offering cooked samples of fortified rice, and talking with attendees who wanted to know more about the creation and importance of fortified rice. Several people with USDA, USAID, and PVOs stopped by specifically to sing the praises of fortified rice and how beneficial it is for food aid.
“The International Food Aid Showcase was an excellent opportunity for everyone across the food aid spectrum to come together and share ideas,” said Stephanie Grunenfelder, USA Rice food aid consultant and organizer of the event. “That there were more than 200 participants demonstrates the importance of these programs both to those who work in the field but also to those whom the programs serve.”