USAID Announces $5 Billion Commitment to Feed the Future Initiative

Strategic Insights -

The United States government has reaffirmed its commitment to ending global hunger and malnutrition through the Feed the Future initiative, a global hunger and food security program. At the United Nations Food Systems Summit, USAID Administrator Samantha Power announced a $5 billion commitment over five years to support Feed the Future, with plans to expand the program to additional countries. The initiative aims to contribute to a 20 percent reduction in poverty and child stunting in areas where Feed the Future operates, while mitigating the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Key Takeaways:

  • USAID will commit $5 billion over five years to Feed the Future, the U.S. Government's global hunger and food security initiative.
  • The initiative will target areas where Feed the Future operates, aiming to contribute to a 20 percent reduction in poverty and child stunting.
  • Feed the Future will partner with governments, the private sector, local actors, and the broader U.S. Government to achieve its objectives.
  • USAID will join an existing collaboration with the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) and the Eleanor Crook Foundation (ECF) to mobilize $100 million of financing over five years to tackle the root causes of malnutrition.
  • The partnership will establish the Nutritious Foods Financing Facility (N3F), a first-of-its-kind investment fund that will support small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and promote well-nourished communities in Sub-Saharan Africa.
  • USAID will invest $60 million over five years in new research awards to reduce food loss and waste, including a $25 million award to Tufts University to lead the Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Food Systems for Nutrition.
  • The United States will join the global coalition on food loss and waste, "Food Is Never Waste," and USAID will join the Friends of 12.3 Champions, a coalition of leaders committed to reducing food waste and food losses.
  • USAID will invest $38 million over five years to expand large-scale food fortification, a program that delivers essential vitamins and minerals to populations in need.
  • A new large-scale food fortification partnership will be launched with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and UNICEF to address widespread malnutrition in low- and middle-income countries.
  • The Gender Responsive Agricultural Systems Policy (GRASP) program will be launched, a new virtual fellowship program for female policymakers in Africa that promotes gender equality and women's empowerment in food systems.

Statistics:

  • $5 billion commitment over five years to Feed the Future
  • $100 million of financing over five years to tackle the root causes of malnutrition
  • $60 million over five years in new research awards to reduce food loss and waste
  • $38 million over five years to expand large-scale food fortification
  • Up to 100 female policy makers in Africa will be supported through the GRASP Fellowship program

Sources:

  • USAID: "Administrator Samantha Power Announces $5 Billion Commitment to Feed the Future at the United Nations Food Systems Summit"
  • USAID: "USAID Announces New Commitments to Combat Global Hunger and Malnutrition"
  • United Nations Food Systems Summit: "Feed the Future: A Global Hunger and Food Security Initiative"
  • United States Government: "Global Food Security Strategy"