World Food Program USA partners with Global Poverty Project on Food Aid Reform

WHAT'S THE ISSUE?

Food aid reform is needed because every year, America helps deliver access to life-saving, nutritious food to more than 50 million people in developing countries. Putting in place common sense reforms in how we deliver this aid could help us feed at least 4 million more people – without costing taxpayers a penny extra.

HOW DID GLOBAL CITIZENS RESPOND?

Global Citizens have been campaigning on food aid reform in the US since mid-2013 as part of the lead up to Global Citizen Festival 2013, working in support of our partners at World Food Program USA.

Global Citizens took over 35,000 actions urging the US Congress to take action around food aid reform, including pushing them to buy food locally and support farmers in the communities we help in order to promote sustainability and reduce poverty. These actions raised awareness around the need for food aid reform across the United States.

At the time, we received the support of Congressman Jim McGovern who recorded a video message for Global Citizens, which you can see here.

Following the Festival, our partners at World Food Program have continued to push on these issues in the Congress, leaning on the support shown by Global Citizens.

WHAT'S THE IMPACT?

On February 4 2014, the Senate passed the Farm Bill Conference Report by a vote of 68-32. The conference report now goes to the president, and he has indicated he will sign it. Once signed by the President, the bill’s food aid provisions will:

· Authorize $80 million for local and regional food procurement.
· Increase cash flexibility for development programs.
· Support efforts to improve the nutritional quality of U.S. food assistance.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

There’s still more work to do, and so Global Citizens are continuing to campaign on food aid reform. We’re continuing to support WFP’s efforts, which are hoping to see significant progress before the end of the current Congress.