WASHINGTON, March 21, 2001–The United States signed a fiscal year 2001 Global Food for Education (GFE) agreement with Project Concern International (PCI), a private voluntary organization, on March 16, 2001, for the donation of agricultural commodities for monetization and direct distribution.

This agreement provides a donation of approximately 2,400 metric tons of U.S. soybean oil, wheat, corn, and soybeans. PCI plans to monetize 1,900 tons of refined soybean oil to buyers in Nicaragua. The proceeds will be used to provide daily breakfasts to 19,200 children attending schools in four selected municipalities in the state of Jinotega, Nicaragua.

In addition, PCI will implement a 12-month-long supplemental feeding program through direct food distribution. PCI will arrange for the 190 tons of wheat, 230 tons of corn, 10 tons of soybean oil, and 70 tons of soybeans to be processed into fortified cookies and distributed to 19,200 school children. This project is intended to improve education in Nicaragua by increasing school attendance, expanding teacher training, and increasing parental participation.

The donation will be made under USDA’s Section 416(b) program, administered by the Foreign Agricultural Service. This agreement is the beginning of a $300 million pilot GFE initiative to expand access to basic education and improve childhood development in poor countries. Under this initiative, the United States will provide surplus agricultural commodities to improve student enrollment, attendance, and performance in poor countries, with special emphasis on increasing female enrollment. The supply period for this donation is fiscal year 2001.

For further information, contact Kwamena Cudjoe of FAS at (202) 690-0637 or send a message via the Internet to Information on the GFE initiative can be found on the Internet at http://www.fas.usda.gov/excredits/gffei.html

FAS new releases are available on the Internet at http://www.fas.usda.gov and by fax polling. Callers should set their fax machines for polling and dial (202) 720-1728. For additional information, contact FAS Public Affairs at (202) 720-7115.

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