The North American Millers’ Association (NAMA) welcomed the transfer of the Food for Peace international food aid program to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) following a new interagency agreement among USDA, the Department of State, and the Office of Management and Budget.
NAMA participated last week in USDA-hosted roundtables on implementing the program, marking the first step in USDA assuming responsibility for the farm bill–authorized initiative. The shift comes after a year of uncertainty surrounding the program’s administration and a decline in food aid shipments following changes to USAID’s role.
Food for Peace, established in 1954, is the flagship U.S. international food aid program and has provided assistance to more than four billion people in over 150 countries while supporting markets for U.S. agricultural exports.
NAMA has led a coalition of more than 80 organizations advocating for the program’s transfer to USDA, citing the department’s experience administering other U.S. in-kind food aid programs. The association also organized a fly-in in September 2025 to raise concerns about the program’s future.
“NAMA has full faith in the abilities of USDA staff to run this critical America First program in the most efficient and effective manner possible,” said Kim Z. Cooper, NAMA vice president of government affairs.
According to NAMA, food aid purchases support U.S. farmers, help utilize excess milling capacity, and provide assistance abroad without additional cost to taxpayers.
