January 12, 2026 – Last week, the North American Millers’ Association (NAMA) participated in U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)-hosted roundtables on how the department can best operate Food for Peace. This is the first step toward USDA taking the reins of the flagship U.S. international food aid program after the signing of an interagency agreement with the Department of State (State) and Office of Management and Budget (OMB). NAMA appreciates the leadership of Secretary Rollins, Secretary Rubio, and Director Vought.
The U.S. has a long history of administering the largest, most reliable, and most effective food assistance programs in the world. Through the flagship Food for Peace program, American agriculture has fed more than four billion people in over 150 countries since its inception in 1954, while building markets for American farm exports.
After a year of uncertainty around the home of Food for Peace post-USAID and a drastic drop in food aid shipments, USDA, State, and OMB agreed that USDA should take the lead on the farm bill-authorized, agriculture-appropriated program. NAMA has led a coalition of more than 80 other organizations advocating for the transition of the administration of Food for Peace Title II to USDA given the department’s proven track record of administering all of the other U.S. in-kind food aid programs. NAMA hosted a fly-in in September 2025 to sound the alarm about the future of Food for Peace.
“Moving Food for Peace to USDA helps ensure that millers continue to serve as the link between American-grown grain and the highly nutritious products that help feed those facing famine emergencies around the world,” said NAMA Vice President of Government Affairs Kim Z Cooper. “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.”
As hunger continues to grow around the world, there is strong demand for American-grown nutritious foods. Food aid purchases not only feed those abroad, but help to support farmers facing tough economic headwinds and utilize excess mill capacity, at no additional cost to the American taxpayer.
About NAMA:
NAMA is the only national trade association that exclusively represents the interests of the North American wheat, corn, oat, and rye milling industry before Congress, federal agencies, and international regulatory bodies. Member companies operate mills in 30+ states, Puerto Rico, and Canada, representing more than 90 percent of total industry production capacity.
The North American Millers’ Association is an equal opportunity provider and employer. Persons who require alternative means of communication for program information should contact [email protected] or 202-484-2200.