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2006 press releases

Inspecting a shipment of wheat

25,000 Metric Tons of Wheat Donated by the American People to Government of Lebanon

Keeping "Bread On the Table" for the People of Lebanon

September 12

On September 12, 2006, on behalf of the American people, U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Jeffrey D. Feltman donated 25,000 metric tons of U.S. wheat to the Government of Lebanon, represented by Minister of Trade and Economy Sami Haddad. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) provided the 25,000 MT of hard red winter wheat to the Government of Lebanon for food security and agricultural development. Valued at 9.2 million US dollars including transport, the wheat contribution is part of USDA’s "Food for Progress" program.

Standing at the deck of the American vessel the Sheila McDevitt at the Port of Beirut, Ambassador Feltman said: "I am proud that this shipment of American wheat will help keep bread on the table for families throughout Lebanon. Harvested from America’s heartlands, this wheat will help guarantee stability in prices for an important staple in the Lebanese diet, while at the same time generate additional financial support for Lebanon's growing agricultural industries….Working together with the Government of Lebanon, The United States is committed to Lebanon's secure, prosperous and hopeful future. Through our common efforts, we will help the people of Lebanon to emerge more prosperous than ever."

Proceeds from the sale of the wheat (estimated to generate 4.75 million U.S. dollars) will be used to finance activities which will improve food security, alleviate poverty, and promote agricultural development in the vulnerable regions of Lebanon. Specific projects will include agricultural extension programs, expansion of including organic agriculture, natural fertilizer, low pesticide farming, rural job creation and other income generation projects.

The "Food for Progress" program uses the food resources of the United States to support countries that have made commitments to introduce or expand free enterprise elements in their agricultural economies through changes in commodity prices, marketing, input availability, distribution, and private sector involvement.

Funding for this contribution is part of the U.S. commitment of $230 million for humanitarian, reconstruction and security assistance to Lebanon announced by President Bush on August 21, 2006.

For more information on the U.S. Government’s humanitarian efforts in the region, please visit the U.S. Agency for International Development's (USAID) website at
http://www.usaid.gov/locations/asia_near_east/middle_east.