And now for a moment of clarity.

When you see those huge bags of grain or cans of food all over the world in places like Gaza or Sudan with the big letters USAID,

do you ever wonder where they actually come from?

Well, a lot of that grain is purchased from American farmers.

In 2020, the U.S. government bought $2.1 billion in food aid from American farmers,

according to a Congressional Research Service report.

In fact, the Washington Post reports that the freeze on USAID, quote,

has left American workers in limbo and threatens billions of dollars the agency spends on American

businesses and organizations. Now, just yesterday, the ranking member of the House Agricultural

Committee, Democrat Angie Craig of Minnesota, told the Houston Chronicle that because of the funding freeze,

hundreds of tons of American grown wheat are stranded in Houston right now.

And here's the thing, folks. Food products like grain spoil. And what's more, farmers operate on tight margins

and strict growing seasons, which mean many across the

Midwest are going to sound the alarm, and they are.

What role does food aid play in helping farmers have a better outcome in their economics?

Any food aid helps in that economic picture for farmers.

USAID is important for farmers.

Aaron Lehman is the president of the Iowa Farmers Union.

He says Iowa plays an important role

in providing foreign food aid

through the U.S. Agency for International Development.

U.S. AID provides assistance around the world

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