NAMA Defends U.S. Food Aid Donations

WASHINGTON - Jan 9/04 - SNS -- The North American Millers' Association (NAMA) says it is important for the industry and the USDA to fend off criticism from trading partners in the World Trade Organization about U.S. food aid programs.

"The more we can demonstrate that well thought-out food aid programs offer the opportunity for a win-win between US value-added product interests and humanitarian need, the easier it will be to defend those programs. In fact, vital, life sustaining food aid is only reaching a fraction of those in need," said John Gillcrist, NAMA Chairman and President of Bartlett Milling Company.

"NAMA wants to demonstrate to our partners our support for nutrition-based food aid initiatives," said Gillcrist. "When highly nutritious foods are used in targeted food assistance interventions, critical humanitarian need is met." For example, research has shown that without the proper level of nutrition, HIV/AIDS anti-retroviral drugs are ineffective. Blended and fortified foods are the most cost-effective intervention to assure these drugs can improve the quality of life for HIV affected individuals.

Guy Shoemaker, NAMA Vice Chair and President of Horizon Milling, LLC added, "NAMA companies are doing what they do best; in fact, better than anyone else in the world. We produce the most cost-effective nutrition delivery foods in the world. They can be used in programs that create a stable nutrition base and can provide a foundation for progress on other development, health and education issues in the developing world."

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