(NAFB.com) – National Association of Wheat Growers CEO Sam Kieffer issued the following statement in response to the news that the State Department and USDA reached an Interagency agreement allowing USDA to operate the Food for Peace Program. Kieffer said the Food for Peace Program has embodied the best of American leadership for decades, delivering life-sustaining food around the world while supporting American farmers at home. “We’re thrilled to see this agreement between USDA and the State Department and thank the administration for initiating this common-sense move,” said Kieffer. “Having USDA manage Food for Peace strengthens the program’s stability, ensures continued market opportunities for American-grown crops, and safeguards in-kind food aid for the people around the world who need it the most.” Kieffer also said the agreement provides near-term certainty, and his group is calling on Congress to pass legislation permanently transferring Food for Peace to the USDA.