 Salmon For Humanitarian Mission In Cambodia June 25, 2003
"This is great news from the USDA for our fishermen heading into the summer fishing season. Given the outlook for a banner summer fishing season, this purchase will help to clear out some of the stock we currently have on hand," said Murkowski. The donation will be made under USDA's Food for Progress program, administered by the Foreign Agricultural Service. The Food for Progress program provides for USDA donations of agricultural commodities to needy countries to encourage economic or agricultural reforms that foster free enterprise. "This purchase of canned salmon is significant because it is the first sale for overseas use in several years," said Murkowski. "I encourage the Alaska industries to pay more attention to the whole community of private volunteer organizations. I believe they could become a significant market if they were better informed about the benefits of canned salmon." This year, USDA expects to donate around 374,000 tons of U.S. commodities to 22 countries under Food for Progress. Along with 130 tons of salmon, the USDA will also donate 930 metric tons of rice, 390 tons of textured soy protein, and 620 tons of soybean oil. Salesian Missions will use
the commodities to continue a school feeding program that began
in fiscal year 2002, and will arrange for the Don Bosco Foundation
of Cambodia to monitor storage, feeding and distribution of rice,
textured soy protein and canned salmon to about 40 schools in
the surrounding area of Poipet. The commodities will provide
a daily meal to 22,000 students. These activities will improve
the nutritional intake and overall health of the students.
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