By Laura Ziegler
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kcur/local-kcur-975758.mp3
Kansas City, Missouri – When the U.S. food aid program began in 1954, known as The Agricultural Trade Development Assistance Act, the country had a vast surplus of farm commodities.
The aim of the program was to expand export markets, but also to help American farmers by diminishing surpluses.
Today, the United States doesn't have those surpluses. Food-aid has become a much more complicated system, with more variety and participants.
The state of Alaska is trying to market salmon as food aid - canned or in powdered form. The Idaho Potato Board would like to sell dehydrated potato flakes.
These foods, and more, were on display this week at The International Food Aid and Development Conference in Kansas City.
