By Arvin Donley

WASHINGTON, DC, US — A ship bound for Africa was loaded with US grain on Aug. 5 as part of the USDA-administered Food for Peace program.

Representatives from the rice, wheat and milling industries witnessed the loading of 28,420 tonnes of rice at a New Orleans, Louisiana, US, port. The ship then set sail for Houston where it will add 20,000 tonnes of wheat before traveling to Kenya. US officials said the wheat and rice will feed more than 1 million Kenyans facing starvation this year. 

The United States has been a leader in providing global food assistance for more than 70 years.

“This bulk vessel will carry US-grown wheat across the ocean to help feed hungry families,” said Gary Millershaski, chairman of US Wheat Associates and a Kansas wheat farmer. “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.” 

In December 2025, after a year of uncertainty around the future of Food for Peace and a significant drop in food aid shipments, an interagency agreement allowed the 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 the other US in-kind food aid programs.

Kim Cooper, vice president of government affairs for the North American Millers’ Association (NAMA), said the program must always be a top priority.

“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,” Cooper said.

John Owen, chairman of USA Rice, added: “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.”Earlier this year, 9,200 tonnes of US wheat and 37,700 tonnes of sorghum were shipped to Ethiopia as part of the program.

Published Date: August 7, 2026