International Development - USAID's controversial new food aid strategy

International Development - USAID's controversial new food aid strategy: "The proposal’s main casualty is the Food for Peace program, which in 2012 received about $1.46 billion, according to USAID. Money for the program, which involves the buying of U.S. surplus crops and shipping them abroad, would be redirected toward international disaster and development assistance as well as the new CEFACF.

In a speech to defend the budget proposal on Wednesday, USAID Administrator Rajiv Shah insisted that the agency is not planning to end U.S. food aid.

“In fact — we’re doing the opposite. The president’s proposal commits to a more rapid, cost-effective, and life-saving food aid program that pairs the continued purchase of American food aid with a diverse set of tools, including local procurement and food vouchers,” he said.

Shah reiterated that the U.S. government commits to continue purchasing American commodities, but was now “increasing our focus on the higher value, more nutritious products that are so critical to improving child nutrition and saving lives,” and promised continued support for the shipping industry."

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