ROME, ITALY – Luke Lindberg, USDA Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs (TFAA), has been selected to become the next Executive Director of the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP). WFP is the largest humanitarian organization providing lifesaving assistance to the world’s most vulnerable populations and is a longtime recipient of USDA food assistance programs.
The WFP has long recognized the United States’ leadership as the largest donor by selecting an American to fill the Executive Director role. Former WFP Executive Director Cindy McCain stepped down earlier this year, and President Trump nominated Lindberg for the role in April. He is expected to serve a five-year term.
USA Rice and other commodity organizations have long-advocated food aid programs purchase U.S.-origin commodities, and since USDA took over implementing the signature U.S. international food assistance program, Food for Peace, following the dismantling of USAID, USDA has emphasized this priority, ensuring real benefits to both those facing global hunger and U.S. farmers and rural communities.
Historically, rice has been an important commodity for U.S. international food assistance. In February, USDA announced it will provide up to $452 million in Food for Peace assistance through WFP, including the most recent purchase and shipment of 28,420 MT of U.S. rice to Kenya (see USA Rice Daily, August 6, 2026). USA Rice has hosted several groups of WFP staff in recent months to better coordinate U.S.-sourced rice in their projects throughout the world.
“USA Rice is a longtime partner of USDA and has invested significantly to bring rice to vulnerable food insecure populations,” said Logan Ward, USA Rice Food Aid Subcommittee Chair. “U.S. rice growers and millers are proud to provide their rice as a nutrient dense food staple for implementing agencies in both emergency and non-emergency assistance.”
USA Rice previously welcomed Lindberg’s confirmation as USDA TFAA Under Secretary and works closely with his team at USDA on international trade policy and promotion (See
USA Rice Daily, August 4, 2025). Lindberg’s move to WFP is an opportunity for USA Rice to maintain and strengthen the role of the American rice farmer to feed the world’s most vulnerable populations. USA Rice will continue advocating for the inclusion of high-quality, American-grown rice in international food assistance programs and plans to hold meetings with WFP officials next month in Rome.