USDA program expected to feed 5 million children this year (PR)

Release No. 0087.10

Contact: Linda Habenstreit (202) 720-9442

USDA'S MCGOVERN-DOLE INTERNATIONAL FOOD FOR EDUCATION PROGRAM EXPECTED TO FEED 5 MILLION CHILDREN THIS YEAR

WASHINGTON, Feb. 26, 2010—Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that USDA will donate more than 100,000 tons of U.S. agricultural commodities valued at nearly $170 million (including freight costs and technical assistance) in fiscal year 2010 under the McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition (McGovern-Dole) Program.

"I am proud of the assistance we provide to the world's hungry children through the McGovern-Dole Program," said Vilsack. "This important program provides a healthy meal, often the only one they receive, for millions of children, mothers and infants in developing countries around the world each day."

The McGovern-Dole Program helps support education, child development and food security in low-income, food-deficit countries that are committed to universal education. 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. This year's allocations will feed more than 4.8 million children in 18 developing countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East. In Bolivia, for example, children in more than 2,000 schools ate what was likely their only meal five days a week. In Senegal, this program provided children, mothers and infants with a daily meal and supported nutrition education.

Currently, 32 active agreements are being funded with 15 cooperating sponsors in 28 countries, assisting more than five million beneficiaries. To date, the McGovern-Dole Program has provided meals to more than 22 million children.

The program is named in honor of Ambassador and former Senator George McGovern and former Senator Robert Dole for their tireless efforts to encourage a global commitment to school feeding and child nutrition. In October 2008, both men were recognized by the World Food Prize for their leadership in forging the link between the productivity of American farmers and the needs of hungry children around the world.

The McGovern-Dole Program is administered by USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service. More information about the program is at: http://www.fas.usda.gov/excredits/FoodAid/FFE/FFE.asp

Here is the list of program allocations for FY 2010:

MCGOVERN-DOLE PROGRAM

New Programs in Fiscal Year 2010

PREVIOUSLY APPROVED ALLOCATIONS THROUGH MULTIYEAR AGREEMENTS

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