Released: Oct. 20, 2023
Washington, D.C. – United States Peanut Federation (USPF) Chairman Jamie Brown travelled to Washington, D.C. this week to attend meetings and events centered around worldwide hunger and peanut nutrition initiatives. The U.S. Peanut Federation partnered with other global hunger advocacy groups to host a reception for congressional members and staff in the U.S. House Agriculture Committee hearing room on peanuts and the role they play in addressing global hunger. The event was co-sponsored by Golden Peanut.
U.S. Representative Austin Scott (GA-08) made remarks at the reception on the United States’ role in international food aid and the importance of peanuts as a key component of Ready-To-Use Therapeutic Food. Also in attendance was Mark Moore, Co-Founder and CEO of MANA Nutrition. MANA Nutrition, which operates out of Fitzgerald, GA, manufactures a Ready-To-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) composed of peanut paste, milk, and a mix of vitamins and minerals that is used to treat children suffering from severe acute malnutrition.
In his comments at the reception, USPF Chairman Jamie Brown reaffirmed the peanut industry’s commitment to helping address global hunger. Peanuts are one of the cheapest sources of proteins and are high in fiber, healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals. Peanuts have been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease, help manage diabetes, and even increase cognitive function.
The U.S. Peanut Federation recently signed a letter with other commodity and nutrition groups advocating for the inclusion of Ready-To-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) in new international food assistance.
According to the letter, “Nearly 45 million children – those most vulnerable to food insecurity – suffer from acute malnutrition, known as “wasting”. Through Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF), over 95% of wasted children can recover, yet only 25% of children have historically had access to treatment. Thanks to leadership from USAID and Congress last year, over $580 million was mobilized to provide a one-time increase to RUTF procurement, which has doubled the number of children being treated. However, without sustained funding, RUTF treatment will return to previous levels of 1 in 4 children receiving the care they need.”
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The United States Peanut Federation (USPF) is comprised of the Southern Peanut Farmers Federation, the American Peanut Shellers Association, and the National Peanut Buying Points Association. USPF serves as a unified voice in Washington, D.C. for all sectors of the peanut industry and advocates actively for strong agricultural policy.