The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will invest $466.5 million to improve global food security through two key programs, as announced by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack at the Clinton Global Initiative 2024 meeting.

The McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program will receive $248 million to fund projects in nine countries. These projects will provide school meals, promote literacy, and enhance primary education, with a focus on helping girls. The Food for Progress program will receive $218.5 million to support agricultural development in seven countries, promote climate-smart farming, and improve international trade.

Under these programs, USDA purchases U.S.-grown food and gives it to partner organizations like the United Nations World Food Program. These organizations either use the food directly in school meal programs or sell it locally to fund agricultural development. Of this year’s McGovern-Dole funding, $24 million will go toward buying additional food locally.

This year, the programs will provide food to 1.2 million children in nine countries and benefit nearly 200,000 farmers in seven countries, focusing on climate-smart practices and trade.