Local Food Aid

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/hannah-lauferrottman/failing-to-address-the-co_b_4385083.html

This article refers to a plan which will change the current dynamic of food aid. Currently, surplus food (mostly starches and carbohydrate rich foods such as corn and wheat) is processes, packaged, and shipped to nations in need. It is extremely expensive and inefficient according to recent studies. The new system would provide cash to establish infrastructure in aid target areas which would allow for the production of locally sustainable produce and provide effective logistics systems for the distribution of said foods. It would eventually replace the old system and thus reduce demand for grain produced in the US, reduce US shipping, and change relationships between the US and aid target nations.

Some of my research explores local sourcing and procurement of food for food aid purposes as an economically viable alternative to shipping surplus goods overseas. Ideally this will squeeze the American domestic farmer (because of a reduced dumping market) and in the long term reduce production and subsidies on produce such as corn, beans, soy. It also provides for a much more nutrient rich food aid product, a culturally stimulating product and process, and economically stimulating processes. This article, however, considers that local sourcing may have negative externalities which could hamper progress and even reduce viability of local sourcing.

1.) What externalities do you perceive in a local (meaning geographically contiguous to aid target) food aid sourcing and procurement, negative or positive?

2.) What do you think could stand in the way of or act to induce locally sourced food aid projects? i.e, A.L.E.C, Farmers lobbies, economic interests, federal sequester.