Foreign Relations of the United States, 1961–1963, Volumes VII, VIII, IX, Arms Control; National Security Policy; Foreign Economic Policy, Microfiche Supplement

402. Letter from McGovern to Freeman and Hamilton, December 20¹

December 20, 1961

Dear Orville and Fowler:

I believe that we would be well-advised to make a greatly expanded overseas school lunch program the Number One target of Food For Peace in 1962. It would seem to me that we could aim at a goal of feeding 500 million children within the next five years. This objective can be reached through a combination of government-to-government and voluntary-agency school lunch projects.

Nothing is more important than the health and well-being of the world’s children. Providing one nutritious meal a day for these youngsters is the highest task this Nation can undertake. I am convinced that the use of our agricultural abundance in this way will accomplish more constructive results per dollar than any other foreign assistance.

Multiple benefits of an overseas school feeding program include the following:

1) vastly improved health of the children;

2) sharply increased school attendance;

3) better academic performance; and

4) improved U.S. relations with the citizens of receiving countries.

At the present time, there are three government-to-government school feeding programs in Italy, Tunisia, and Peru which involve nearly two million children. A previous U.S. program in Japan has been taken over by the Japanese Government, and the Italian Government is now preparing to assume responsibility for continuing the program in Italy.

United States voluntary agencies, supplied by Food For Peace food grants, are conducting school feeding programs in 81 countries and territories, involving nearly 30 million children.

The Peruvian program, which I signed for our Government with Prime Minister Beltran last May, was the first and only U.S. Government school lunch program in Latin America. It has already resulted in a 40% increase in school attendance—aside from its basic purpose of improving the nutrition of children.

From previous discussions with your associates, I know that there is widespread agreement as to the urgency of this suggested target. I look forward to working with you toward its implementation.

With every good wish in the New Year, I am

Sincerely yours,

George McGovern

Special Assistant to the President
Director, Food For Peace

1. Food for Peace and overseas school lunch program. No classification marking. 2 pp. Washington National Records Center, RG 286, AID Administrator Files: FRC 65 A 481, Executive Secretary, FY 1962.