Washington, DC – Today, Representatives Gregory W. Meeks and Michael McCaul, Chair and Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, released the following statement on Feed the Future week. Feed the Future, an Obama Administration initiative codified and reauthorized with bipartisan congressional support through the Global Food Security Act, is the cornerstone of U.S. global food security efforts. Since 2011, Feed the Future has helped generate more than $13.7 billion in agricultural sales, while reducing or avoiding stunting in more than 3.4 million children. Feed the Future helps farmers get more, higher quality goods to market by improving value chains. It also increases access to nutritious foods, particularly for women and children, and works with communities to make agriculture more productive, sustainable, and resilient. 

“We are proud to commemorate Feed the Future week and highlight the incredible work by the United States to increase food security, support inclusive and sustainable agriculture-led economic growth, and reduce malnutrition around the world. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic, along with the increasing strains of climate-related shocks and severe weather patterns, threaten important progress. Conflict and instability are further fueling this crisis and pushing millions more people into dangerous levels of food insecurity.  

“As lead cosponsors of H.R. 4693, the Global Malnutrition Prevention and Treatment Act, we know proper nutrition for children and families changes lives and improves the futures of children, communities, and nations. We look forward to working with our colleagues in Congress to pass this legislation, and with the administration to improve nutrition outcomes, address food insecurity, and further strengthen Feed the Future’s work.”