In a world where over 800 million people are hungry, it might seem cruel to propose cutting back U.S. grain production through supply management programs. But the world already produces more than enough calories to feed everyone. Poverty and inequality — not scarcity — drive global hunger.¹Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. “FAO’s Work on Agroecology: A Pathway to Achieving the SDGs.” 2018 at 6; Holt-Giménez, Eric et al. “We already grow enough food for 10 billion people…and still can’t end hunger.” Journal of Sustainable Agriculture. Vol. 36, No. 6. July 2012 at 595. And aspects of U.S. agricultural and trade policy only worsen it.²Gonzalez, Carmen. “An environmental justice critique of comparative advantage: Indigenous peoples, trade policy, and the Mexican neoliberal economic reforms.” University of Pennsylvania Journal of International Law. Vol. 32. 2011 at 755 to 759; Frison, Emile A. International Panel of Experts on Sustainable Food Systems (IPES-Food). “From Uniformity to Diversity: A Paradigm Shift From Industrial Agriculture to Diversified Agroecological Systems.” June 2016 at 24 to 26.

Food dumping is a notorious example. “Dumping” is when surplus commodities are exported to foreign markets and sold at prices lower than the cost of production. Dumping also occurs under the guise of food aid. In practice, food dumping undercuts local farmers who cannot compete with subsidized grains, destroying their markets and making developing countries dependent on U.S. imports.

According to Oxfam International, “food aid is often not provided at the right time, the right place, or in sufficient quantities.” Rather, it often serves as a tool for expanding U.S. export markets. Oxfam advocates giving aid in the form of cash grants so hungry people can purchase food from their local markets instead.³Oxfam International. “Food Aid or Hidden Dumping? Separating Wheat From the Chaff.” Oxfam Briefing Paper. March 2005 at 2 to 3.