Agri-Pulse Newsmakers: Food for Peace Program, E15 with Sen. Jerry Moran

USDA takes over management of key food aid program, Kansas senator discusses biofuels policy

Jan. 31, 2026 at 10:39am

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The U.S. Department of Agriculture has temporarily taken over management of the Food for Peace program, which provides U.S. agricultural commodities as international food aid. In a recent Agri-Pulse Newsmakers interview, Kansas Senator Jerry Moran discussed the Food for Peace program as well as policies around E15 ethanol blends.

Why it matters

The Food for Peace program is a critical part of U.S. foreign aid and agricultural policy, helping to drive demand for American-grown crops and foods. Senator Moran's comments on E15 are also noteworthy, as biofuels policy continues to be a major issue for the agriculture industry.

The details

The USDA has assumed temporary control of the Food for Peace program, which has historically been managed by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). This shift in oversight aims to streamline operations and ensure the efficient distribution of U.S. agricultural commodities as international food assistance. In the Agri-Pulse interview, Senator Jerry Moran of Kansas discussed the importance of the Food for Peace program as well as his views on E15 ethanol blends and broader biofuels policy.

  • The USDA took over management of the Food for Peace program in January 2026.

The players

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)

The federal executive department responsible for developing and executing policies related to agriculture, food, natural resources, and rural development.

U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)

The independent agency of the United States federal government that is primarily responsible for administering civilian foreign aid and development assistance.

Senator Jerry Moran

A Republican U.S. Senator from the state of Kansas who has served in the Senate since 2011.

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What they’re saying

“We investigate several aspects of food, fuel, feed, and fiber industries, looking at the economic, statistical, and financial trends and evaluate how these changes will impact your business.”

— Agri-Pulse, Publication (agri-pulse.com)

What’s next

The USDA's temporary takeover of the Food for Peace program will be closely watched to see if it leads to any significant changes in the administration or distribution of U.S. agricultural commodities as international food aid.

The takeaway

The shift in management of the Food for Peace program and Senator Moran's comments on biofuels policy highlight the ongoing importance of agricultural and food policy issues, which continue to have major implications for farmers, consumers, and the broader economy.