USDA Selects Eligible Projects Under McGovern-Dole Program

(8/15/03)

USDA has approved 21 project proposals in 21 countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, Central Asia, and Eastern Europe for eligibility under the fiscal 2003 McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program. The sponsors of these selected proposals include nine private voluntary organizations and the United Nations World Food Program. These proposed school feeding and nutrition projects would serve an estimated 2.2 million beneficiaries, primarily school children but also mothers, infants, and pre-school children.

Detailed agreements must still be negotiated with each of the project sponsors. Agreements must be concluded by Sept. 30, 2003, and will be announced by USDA after they are signed. The selections of eligible sponsors and projects were made following a review of more than 80 project applications submitted to USDA. The total estimated tonnage is 150,000 metric tons, with exact quantities and commodities subject to negotiations. 

On June 20, 2003, Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman invited project proposals for the new McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program. Final program regulations, eligibility requirements, evaluation criteria, and details for presenting proposals were published in a Federal Register notice that same day, with a deadline of July 7 for submitting proposals to USDA.

Last modified: Wednesday, October 29, 2003