Chairwoman Stabenow Applauds New Food Aid

WASHINGTON (April, 18, 2024) - U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Chairwoman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, today applauded a $1 billion investment to provide in-kind, international food assistance to address a growing crisis of hunger around the world.

Stabenow said: "Violence, armed conflict, rising food prices, and the climate crisis are driving a global crisis of hunger. It is clear that our country must do everything we can to meet humanitarian needs around the world, and American farmers are up to the task. I applaud Secretary Vilsack and the teams at USDA and USAID for working with me to find creative solutions that meet the needs of this critical moment."

The announcement follows $1 billion in funding Stabenow and Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Ranking Member John Boozman (R-AR) secured through USDA's authorities under the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) Charter Act in October.

The funding includes $950 million to supply American-grown commodities and transportation to several countries facing severe hunger. The announcement also includes $50 million to pilot providing food items that have not traditionally been included in emergency food assistance abroad.

Across the globe, 783 million people face chronic hunger and 1 in 4 children under age 5 is severely malnourished.As Chairwoman, Stabenow leads efforts that shape U.S. policy to provide American-grown commodities and build resiliency on the ground to address unprecedented levels of food insecurity around the world.

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