The State Department approved $50M in ready-to-use meals to combat child hunger, serving 1.4 million vulnerable children.

State Department Confirms Continued Food Aid After Oversight Shift

The U.S. State Department has announced the approval of $50 million for Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Foods (RUTFs), a nutrient-dense, pre-packaged meal designed to treat malnutrition in children. The funding is expected to provide sustenance to more than 1.4 million at-risk children across global regions facing acute food insecurity.

Responding to recent criticism, Secretary Marco Rubio reiterated the administration’s commitment to humanitarian assistance, stating that the delivery of food aid will continue at scale. “We’re going to do more food aid than any other country on the planet, times 10,” Rubio said during a tense exchange in a May congressional hearing, defending the program’s pace and scope.

The clarification follows accusations from Representative Gabe Amo of Rhode Island, who claimed the State Department was deliberately stalling aid shipments. In a pointed exchange, Amo pressed Rubio on logistical delays, suggesting a failure to uphold commitments to partner nations in need. Rubio rejected the charge and emphasized that aid efforts were ongoing and expanding.

The controversy arose as RUTF operations underwent administrative transition. Previously managed by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the program was folded into the State Department earlier this year as part of a restructuring initiative. The merger, driven in part by recommendations from the former Department of Government Efficiency, shifted responsibility for international aid programs into the State Department's portfolio.

Partnerships and Approvals Reinforce Urgency of Global Aid

Despite internal reorganization, senior officials confirmed that longstanding partnerships with non-profit producers MANA and Edesia remained in place. These groups have continued producing and distributing RUTFs since early March. On May 26, the State Department approved the shipment of 1.4 million boxes of these critical food supplies.

An internal action memorandum outlined the urgency of moving stockpiled food from warehouses and proposed an additional Title II award valued at $35 million. This award is intended to cover essential logistics, including overseas shipping, inland transport, warehousing, and local distribution.

Mark Moore, CEO of MANA, shared that contract uncertainties earlier in the year placed non-profit suppliers at risk of closure. “We’re all looking at June and July running out of these old contracts and saying we’re just going to have to close the doors,” Moore said. He noted that the new orders from the State Department were vital for continuing operations and expressed optimism about the recent developments. “It is trending the right way, and we’re thrilled,” he added.

The State Department reiterated that humanitarian aid remains a cornerstone of U.S. foreign policy and confirmed its ongoing collaboration with local and international partners to ensure continuity in life-saving nutrition programs. The swift response aims to prevent disruptions in food delivery for vulnerable populations, particularly children facing the highest risk of severe malnutrition in conflict zones and famine-prone regions.