America is the backbone of global food supply.
USDA 23 [USDA, 10-24-2023, "USDA Bolsters Investments in International Trade and Food Aid", No Publication, https://www.usda.gov/media/press-releases/2023/10/24/usda-bolsters-investments-international-trade-and-food-aid/ AKwon]
Des Moines, Iowa, October 24, 2023 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced today that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is providing $2.3 billion to help American producers maintain and develop markets for their commodities and use U.S. commodities to bolster international food aid.
Consistent with a bipartisan request from the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, USDA is utilizing funds from the (CCC) to address challenges related to trade and food insecurity impacting U.S. farmers and the international community. USDA will use:
$1.3 billion for the Regional Agricultural Promotion Program and support for specialty crop industries to diversify export markets.
$1 billion to help address global hunger.
“The Commodity Credit Corporation continues to address the needs of American producers as significant and unpredictable challenges arise, including impacts to international commodities markets and global food insecurity in the wake of ongoing conflict and a changing climate,” said Secretary Vilsack. “The Commodity Credit Corporation and USDA’s market development and aid programs are critically important at this time, and with this additional support we can strengthen U.S agriculture’s presence in existing markets, open up new market opportunities, and build on our relationships and connections to ensure that high-quality American agriculture and food products reach where they are needed in the world.”