Washington, D.C.– Bread for the World welcomes the recent introduction of legislation to reauthorize the Global Food Security Act, which, among other things, would fund the Feed the Future through 2028. Last week Representatives Betty McCollum (D-MN-04), Chris Smith (R-NJ-04), Gregory Meeks (D-NY-05), and Michael McCaul (R-TX-10) introduced H.R. 8446. This week, Senators Bob Casey (D-PA), Jim Risch (R-ID), Chris Coons (D-DE), and John Boozman (R-AR) introduced S. 4649.
Feed the Future was established to address the root causes of hunger and malnutrition by developing resilient agriculture systems and boosting nutrition in countries with great need and opportunity for improvement. Over the last decade, the initiative has helped protect 3.4 million children from stunting and malnutrition, brought 5.2 million families out of hunger, and lifted 23.4 million people out of poverty.
The following statement can be attributed to Rev. Eugene Cho, president and CEO of Bread for the World:
“We are facing an unprecedented global hunger crisis. Conflict, COVID, the climate crisis, and rising costs have combined to result in historic levels of food insecurity – leading to millions more people experiencing hunger and malnutrition across the world. While humanitarian support is essential, it is simply not enough. Solving the food crisis requires building on the type of success we have seen with the Global Food Security Act and Feed the Future, strengthening local food systems, boosting sustainable agricultural growth, and addressing the root causes of hunger and malnutrition.
“The reauthorization and expansion of these critical programs is more important now than ever. We are thankful to the sponsors of these bills and look forward to strengthening and passing this vital legislation.”
Bread for the World has advocated for Feed the Future since it was launched more than a decade ago and Bread for the World members have secured bipartisan cosponsors for the Global Food Security Act each time it has been introduced in Congress.
