USDA Uses Barter For Food Assistance
Program
The U.S.
Department of Agriculture will barter about $50 million worth of
government-owned bulk commodities to U.S. food processors in
exchange for further processed agricultural products that will be
distributed through USDA domestic and international food assistance
programs.
The barter
initiative will provide benefits to those in need both domestically
and internationally, and it will save taxpayers’ dollars by reducing
government costs while enhancing storage space available for 2007
crops.
Domestic food
assistance programs will receive 80% of the value of the commodities
that are stored by USDA. This initiative will provide additional
commodities to food banks and other entities to help meet food
assistance needs. The remainder will be used in the McGovern-Dole
International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program.
The
McGovern-Dole Program helps promote education, child development,
and food security for some of the world’s poorest children. It
provides for donations of U.S. agricultural products, as well as
financial and technical assistance, for school feeding and maternal
and child nutrition projects in low-income countries.
