From Relief to Resilience: Reimagining U.S. Global Food Security Investments to Bridge Humanitarian Response to Economic Opportunity

From Relief to Resilience: Reimagining U.S. Global Food Security Investments to Bridge Humanitarian Response to Economic Opportunity, presented by Catholic Relief Services and Farm Journal Foundation, examines the evolving global food security landscape, including expected increases in humanitarian need due to the impacts of the current El Niño episode and instability in the Middle East. The discussion will focus on bridging the “missing middle” through U.S. food security investments and where gaps exist for farmers and local enterprises to transition from humanitarian assistance to market participation. The event will showcase successful multi-stakeholder models including vulnerable farming communities, private-sector partners, and government actors that demonstrates how investments can catalyze inclusive economic growth. The event will also highlight the role of agricultural research, innovation, and last-mile delivery systems in ensuring that new technologies and solutions reach farmers facing the greatest barriers, and propose recommendations for a next-generation U.S. food security strategy that better aligns humanitarian assistance, agricultural development investments, and private-sector engagement to create resilient and stable local food systems.