Business Buzz: Obama Administration Aims to Change International ...

But will buying food from developing countries hurt America's farmers?

The Obama administration is planning to change the way the U.S. distributes its international food aid. Instead of buying food from American farmers and then shipping it abroad -- a process that typically takes months, but has been used for nearly 60 years -- it will be proposed that the government buy food in developing countries. The new program is expected to save millions in shipping costs and get food more quickly to areas that need it. Supporters of the plan say this would enable the U.S. to feed about 17 million more people each year, and helps to fight poverty by buying the crops of farmers in poor countries. However, critics including shipping companies, agribusiness and charitable groups say the change will harm the nation?s economy and hamper efforts to fight global hunger. Currently, the U.S. spends about $1.4 billion a year on food aid and is the only major donor country that continues to send food to humanitarian crisis spots, rather than buying it locally. (NY Times)

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Source: http://www.loop21.com/politics/obama-international-food-aid-program-plan-change

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