Legislation intended to make U.S. food assistance programs more efficient was approved by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. The bill includes the first-ever authorization of Feed the Future, an Obama administration initiative to improve local food production. The bill also authorizes the Emergency Food Security Program (EFSP), which supports local and regional procurement of food in food emergencies. Chairman Bob Corker said the emergency food program “represents a model for overall food aid reform.” Half of the nearly $2.1 billion in U.S. food aid in 2015 was provided through the EFSP. The other major U.S. food aid program is Food for Peace, which donates U.S.-grown commodities. “Absent flexibilities that exist for emergency assistance, there would be no way to respond in places like Syria where U.S. commodities simply cannot reach,” said Corker.
To watch a video of the committee meeting or for links to the food security bill, click here.