August 5, 2026 – Organizations representing wheat, rice, and sorghum growers and the U.S. milling industry are celebrating the latest USDA-administered Food for Peace donation of 19,980 metric tons of Kansas hard red winter wheat and 28,420 metric tons of Louisiana rice.
This morning, American farmers, millers, and mariners cheered the loading of commodities onto the Liberty Grace, a U.S.-flag vessel, bound for communities facing hunger emergencies through the Port of Mombasa, Kenya. This gift from the American people will feed over one million people facing starvation for an entire year.
Click here to watch the archived video of today’s celebration in New Orleans. This event follows the earlier departure of the U.S.-flagged Liberty Glory from Houston carrying a Food for Peace shipment of 37,700 metric tons of U.S.-grown sorghum and 9,200 metric tons of wheat bound for Ethiopia.
The U.S. has a long history of administering the largest, most reliable, and most effective international food assistance programs in the world. U.S. farmers, millers, and organizations that represent them including U.S. Wheat Associates, the USA Rice Federation, National Sorghum Producers, and the North American Millers’ Association (NAMA) have been partners in these programs for more than 70 years.
“U.S. millers are proud of the role they play in alleviating world hunger through international food aid. Today’s shipment puts into focus exactly why USDA’s steadfast leadership in administering this life-saving program is so important,” said NAMA Vice President, Government Affairs Kim Cooper. “We need Congress to make USDA’s operation of this America First program permanent in the next farm bill so that American farmers, millers, and mariners can 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.”
“Wheat farmers have championed U.S. food aid assistance for more than 70 years, since a northwest Kansas farmer first proposed that sharing abundant harvests could help feed those in need around the world. Today, we are proud to be here with USDA and support the agency as they take the helm of the Food for Peace program. This bulk vessel will carry U.S.-grown wheat across the ocean to help feed hungry families. As a farmer, this echoes the lessons I was taught being raised on the farm: If a neighbor is in need, you lend a helping hand. It’s just what we do,” said Gary Millershaski, chairman of U.S. Wheat Associates and Kansas wheat farmer.
“Rice is the most widely consumed grain in the world, and these 28,420 metric tons of Louisiana rice will play a vital role in helping feed those facing famine. At a time when our rice markets are in dire need, this in-kind commodity donation is a shot in the arm for our industry and makes us more optimistic about the future of Food for Peace under USDA’s leadership. As Congress continues to debate the farm bill, we encourage them to make permanent the transfer of this program to USDA to ensure it can continue delivering American-grown commodities to families facing food insecurity around the world,” said USA Rice Chair and Louisiana rice farmer John Owen.
“Today’s event highlights the reach of Food for Peace and the American farmers, processors, ports and mariners who make it possible. Sorghum farmers are proud to be part of that mission. Earlier this summer, a 108-car train carrying approximately 400,000 bushels of U.S. sorghum departed western Kansas for Food for Peace programs in Africa, marking the first sorghum shipment since USDA assumed administration of the program. It is a powerful example of American-grown food helping people around the world while creating dependable value for farmers and rural communities here at home. We appreciate USDA’s leadership and urge Congress to make its administration of Food for Peace permanent,” said Amy France, Chair, National Sorghum Producers.
“The shipment we’re sending to help those in dire need around the world is a testament not only to the abundance of U.S. agriculture, but more importantly, to the generosity of the American farmer and the bounty they produce,” said USDA Deputy Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Michelle Bekkering. “This massive shipment also showcases the strength of our historic partnership with U.S. commodity groups, our friends at our merchant marine workforce, and the World Food Programme. Together, we’re helping those in need today and fostering true self-reliance tomorrow. Through our suite of USDA food assistance programs, we’re not just saving lives, we’re changing them.”
Today’s shipment comes at a time when the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has new and welcomed oversight of the program as the rightful home for Food for Peace. In December 2025, after a year of uncertainty around the future of Food for Peace and a drastic drop in food aid shipments, an interagency agreement allowed USDA to take the lead operating the farm bill-authorized, agriculture-appropriated program. A coalition of more than 80 organizations has advocated for the permanent 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. The House-passed “Farm Bill 2.0” would permanently codify the shift of Food for Peace to USDA.
As hunger continues to grow around the world, there is strong demand for nutritious, American-grown foods. Food for Peace purchases not only feed those abroad, but help to support farmers facing tough economic headwinds and utilize excess mill capacity.
Food for Peace demonstrates the success of starting American foreign policy at home, with American farmers and industry, and ending with food in the hands of those who need it the most. Through this flagship 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.
Left to right: NAMA Vice President, Government Affairs Kim Cooper and USDA Deputy Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Michelle Bekkering.
USDA Deputy Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Michelle Bekkering.
Louisiana Department of Agriculture Commissioner Dr. Mike Strain.
The U.S.-flag vessel the Liberty Grace is bound for communities facing hunger emergencies through the Port of Mombasa, Kenya.
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 32 states, Puerto Rico, and Canada, representing more than 90 percent of total industry production capacity.