Trends in U.S. Foreign Food Aid, FY1992-FY2002

Publication Date: May 2003

Publisher: Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Author(s):

Research Area: International relations

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Abstract:

Over the 11-year period from FY1992 to FY2002, more than 50 types of agricultural commodities have been donated to more than 100 countries through U.S. food aid programs. The Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954, the Food for Progress Act of 1985, and the Agricultural Act of 1949 established three main U.S. food aid programs: Public Law 480 (P.L. 480), Food for Progress (FFP), and Section 416(b) to meet humanitarian needs, alleviate malnutrition, and establish a market presence in recipient countries. Three other food aid programs are the Bill Emerson Humanitarian Trust, the McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program (IFEP), and the John Ogonowski Farmer-to-Farmer Program.

P.L. 480, also known as the Food for Peace Program, provides U.S. agricultural commodities to countries with differing economic development levels. Food For Progress provides commodities to developing countries that are emerging democracies and that have made commitments to introduce or expand free enterprise in their agricultural economies. Section 416(b) provides donations to developing countries of surplus agricultural commodities acquired by the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) through price support programs. The Bill Emerson Humanitarian Trust is a commodity reserve used to meet emergency humanitarian food needs in developing countries. The McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program (IFEP) provides food to improve nutrition for mothers, infants, preschoolers, and schoolchildren in developing countries. The John Ogonowski Farmer-to-Farmer Program finances the transfer of technical skills of the U.S. agricultural community to farmers in participating countries.

This report provides tables and graphs on the composition of U.S. food aid. Data is restricted to United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) data that includes commodity tonnage and value. The data does not include ocean freight, internal handling, shipping, transportation, and administration expenses.

Among other things, this report indicates that funding for food aid varies from year to year; that more food aid has been provided under P.L. 480 and Section 416(b) than under Food for Progress; that most food aid provided under P.L. 480 is distributed through Title II; that the food aid commodity composition now includes more high-value and blended products donated through Title II feeding programs; and that the United States is a major food aid contributor. This report will be updated as circumstances warrant.