WASHINGTON, Sept. 12, 2002 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture today announced that it will donate 2,210 metric tons of agricultural commodities to Project Concern International (PCI) for use in Bolivia under the Global Food for Education (GFE) program. PCI, a private voluntary organization, will use the commodities for school feeding and school support programs.

The donation will include approximately 1,600 metric tons of wheat, 340 tons of nonfat dry milk, 90 tons of wheat flour, 100 tons of wheat-soy blend and 80 tons of vegetable oil.

PCI will implement a one-year feeding program to distribute 90 tons of wheat flour, 100 tons of wheat-soy blend, 80 tons of vegetable oil and 240 tons of nonfat dry milk to around 50,000 primary school children in Cochabamba, Oruro and Potosi in Bolivia.

PCI will sell the remaining commodities – 100 tons of nonfat dry milk and 1,600 tons of wheat – to buyers in Bolivia. All proceeds generated from these sales will be used to stimulate improved attendance and the quality of education.

The fiscal 2002 agreement with PCI was signed on Aug. 30, 2002. The donation will be made under USDA’s Section 416(b) program, administered by the Foreign Agricultural Service. This agreement is part of the $300-million pilot GFE initiative to expand access to basic education and improve childhood development in poor countries. The supply period for this donation is fiscal year 2002.

For further information, contact Tosha Clark of FAS at (202) 720-5453, or send an e-mail to Tosha.Clark@fas.usda.gov. Information on the GFE initiative can be found on the Internet at http://www.fas.usda.gov/excredits/gffei.html.

FAS news 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 about Web or fax access, contact FAS Public Affairs Division at (202) 720-7115.

#

PR 0278-02