Utilization of Agricultural Resources through Public Food Distribution Programs

Initiation of the pilot Federal Food Stamp Program at home and the Food for Peace Program abroad has focused national attention upon public programs to utilize part of agriculture's abundant resources in improving the health and well-being of children and needy persons. These include the domestic National School Lunch, Special Milk, Direct Distribution, and Food Stamp Programs and the international People-to-People food assistance programs. During fiscal year 1961, more than 30 million persons in the United States and its territories and 60 million persons abroad received benefits through these public programs. During this period, Federal contributions through these programs were valued at almost $700 million. Each of these public food distribution programs is designed to accomplish dual objectives: Expand demand for the abundant flow of foods from the nation's farms and conserve human resources through better nutrition. Well known are the nutritional benefits attained through each program. Less understood is the agricultural mission and how it is accomplished