Review offers improvements to U.S. food aid

Review offers improvements to U.S. food aid    The results of a two-year study released Tuesday offers ways that the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Agency for International Development can enhance the impact of food aid overseas.
   USAID’s Office of Food for Peace and Tufts University Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy completed the study, using funds authorized by Congress.
   The review identifies the high potential benefit of food aid focused on the nutritional requirements of older infants, young children and pregnant and lactating women, given the importance of nutrition during the 1,000 days between pregnancy and a child’s second birthday.
   In specific, the report recommends:
   ' Reformulating fortified, blended foods.
   ' Improving composition and use of fortified vegetable oil.
   ' Improving fortified cereals used in general food distributions.
   ' Using ready-to-use products when appropriate.
   ' Modifying USAID processes and guidance given to implementing partners.
   'Optimizing our food aid programs, combined with our Feed the Future Initiative can help us build toward the goal of ending hunger in a generation,” said USAID Administrator Rajiv Shah in advance of the report’s release.
   A stakeholder session will be convened at the International Food Aid and Development Conference in June to present the recommendations. USDA and USAID said the event would serve as a forum where multiple stakeholders can discuss the recommendations, their potential impact, practical constraints, as well as develop key strategies for implementation.
   USAID and USDA will continue to work together with stakeholders to realize improvements to the quality, nutrition, and delivery of food aid. Access the report here.