Programs

The Food for Progress (FFPr) program, authorized by the Food for Progress Act of 1985, provides for the donation or credit sale of U.S. commodities to developing countries and emerging democracies to support democracy and an expansion of private enterprise. To date, all food aid under this program has been by donation. 

The McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition (Mc-Govern-Dole) Program helps support education, child development, and food security for some of the world’s poorest children. It provides for donations of U.S. agricultural products, as well as financial and technical assistance, for school feeding and maternal and child nutrition projects in low-income, food-deficit countries that are committed to universal education.

Currently, both USDA and USAID have authority to purchase local and regional food aid.  The Local and Regional Procurement Project (Pilot Program) was authorized as a pilot program under the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (Farm Bill). The Farm Bill directs the Secretary of Agriculture to implement a five-year local and regional purchase pilot program in developing countries from fiscal year (FY) 2009 through 2012.

The Food for Peace Act (FPA) was formerly referred to as Public Law 480 or P.L. 480. FPA has three titles, and each title has a specific objective and provides assistance to countries at a particular level of economic development. Title I is administered by USDA, and Titles II and III are administered by USAID.  Title I, Trade and Development Assistance, provides for government-to-government sales of U.S. agricultural commodities to developing countries on credit or grant terms.

The Section 416(b) program is authorized by the Agricultural Act of 1949, as amended. This program provides for overseas donations of surplus commodities acquired by the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC). Donations may not reduce the amounts of commodities that are traditionally donated to U.S. domestic feeding programs or agencies, and may not disrupt normal commercial sales.

The Bill Emerson Humanitarian Trust is another resource to ensure that the U.S. government can respond to emergency food aid needs. The Trust is not a food aid program, but a food reserve administered under the authority of the Secretary of Agriculture.

Food Aid Programs Fact Sheet

Food Aid News

• USDA Secretary Speaks on Food Security, Climate Change during Chicago Meeting (06/29/09; remarks before the Chicago
  Council on Global Affairs)

• U.S. Agriculture Program Helps Provide Food for Students and Teachers in Kampong Chhang (06/24/09; U.S. Embassy
  Phnom Penh, Cambodia)

• 2009 USDA & USAID International Food Aid Conference

• President Asks Congress For An Additional $770 Million For Food Aid (05/01/08)
  — Fact Sheet: Leading  the Fight Against Hunger

• USDA Barter Initiative Helps Feed the Hungry Surplus Stocks Traded for Processed Foods Secretary of Agriculture Ed Schafer said today that USDA donations will exceed $100 million in a swap of government surplus raw commodity stocks for domestic and international food through USDA's "Stocks-for-Food" initiative. (04/16/08)
  — Fact Sheet:  Stocks-for-Food Initiative

• President Orders Release of Food Aid From Emerson Trust
  The President directed the Secretary of Agriculture to draw down on the Bill Emerson Humanitarian Trust to meet emergency food aid needs abroad.  With this action, an estimated $200 million in emergency food aid will be made available. (04/14/08)

Regulations and Laws

Regulations - Final Rule - Food for Progress and McGovern Dole School Feeding Program (Published March 26, 2009 in the Federal Register)

Previous Regulations - Food for Progress (Published Nov. 6, 1998, Federal Register - govern agreements signed before March 26, 2009)

7CFR_3019 - Requirements for Grants and Agreements with Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals, and other non-profit organizations (2003)

P.L. 480: Title I, Financing Regulations (1996)

Amendment (final rule) regarding private entry participation in the PL 480, Title I program SUMMARY (Published Nov. 5, 1998 in the Federal Register)

Section 416b Program Establishing Legislation: Agricultural Act of 1949

Food for Progress Establishing Legislation: Food for Progress Act of 1985

Food for Education Establishing Legislation: Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002

Local and Regional Procurement Pilot Project Establishing Legislation: Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008

Procurement Opportunities

Commodity Operations - Procurement Information

Ocean Freight Invitations for Bids and Awards 

Reports

U.S. Food Aid Tables

Reports to Congress

• Study to Congress:  The Use of Local and Regional Procurement In Meeting the Food Needs Of Those Affected By Disasters And Food Crises (Jan 2009)

• The Global Effort to Reduce Child Hunger and Increase School Attendance (May 2006)

• Use of Perishable Commodities and Live Animals in Food Aid Programs (09/10/02)

• Food for Education Pilot Program: Report to Congress (February 2003)

United States International Food Assistance Report

•  Fiscal Year 2008 (pdf,1,046kb)

•  Fiscal Year 2007 (pdf,359kb)

•  Fiscal Year 2006 (pdf,255kb)

Food Aid Resources

Telling Your Story – Submit and View Success Stories

FAS Grant Proposal Writing Resources

USDA Food Assistance Division Calendar

Other Food Aid Resources

Food Assistance Division Contacts (.pdf)

FAS Overseas Agricultural Attaché Contacts (please contact the Food Aid Division if you have difficulty locating the overseas USDA FAS Attaché that covers a particular country)