NAMA Food Aid Products
The protein grain products processed by member firms of the North American Millers' Association (NAMA) were specially formulated for the US food aid program to achieve the highest nutritional quality at the lowest possible cost . Products shipped by these firms must meet rigid U.S. government specifications for quality, uniformity, sanitation, packaging, and inspection.
Designed primarily to combat hunger and malnutrition, protein grain products are used extensively in the U.S. Food for Peace program and also in the major humanitarian and assistance programs carried out under the auspices of the United Nations. In addition to being a major supplier of high quality food products, NAMA members work closely with the U.S. Voluntary Agencies, the office of Food for Peace, the United Nations organizations, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture in providing various technical support activities.
Basic commodities such as bulgur and corn meal have been used in domestic and overseas-donated food programs for many years. Both are nutritionally similar to whole wheat and corn and are easily prepared into a wide variety of dishes. Their value in the daily diet is unquestioned.
In recent years, industry and government food technologists have achieved a major nutrition breakthrough with the blending of soy flour or soy grits with cereal grain products. Soy flour and soy grits not only increase the level of protein but also contain high level of the amino acids, which are limiting in most cereal grains. As such, it is possible, through blending, to create a protein food with an amino acid profile and utilizable protein content comparable to that of meat and milk. Vitamins and minerals are added to many of these blended foods to provide a convenient and economical source of essential nutrients.
To maximize overseas commercial exposure to protein grain products, the association works closely with USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service on a wide range of market development and expansion programs in Asia, Latin America, Africa and the Middle East. Protein grain products have not only proven successful at the retail level but also show good potential for application in institutional feeding programs. The blended foods are pre-cooked and make excellent weaning foods because of their low cost, high protein quality, and enrichment with vitamins and minerals.
The member firms and Washington staff of the North American Millers' Association are dedicated to the concept of a healthier world through better nutrition and have pledged our entire resources to the research, development, production and export of the highest quality nutrition foods at the lowest possible cost.
Agencies or organizations interested in more information about the protein grain products described in this web site may direct their inquiries to generalinfo@namamillers.org.
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