Tag: Rwanda

USDA Announces Second Tranche of Food for Peace Funding for Seven Countrie

Posted on by Qahwa World
Author: Qahwa World – Dubai
Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture – Foreign Agricultural Service
Date: May 13, 2026
Location: Washington, D.C.
Executive Summary

  • USDA announces second tranche of Food for Peace Title II Program funding
  • Applications accepted from 7 countries: DRC, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Haiti, Kenya, Rwanda
  • Program transferred to USDA administration on February 3, 2026
  • Focus on delivering US-grown commodities to global food assistance programs
  • Application deadline: June 12, 2026 at 5:00 PM EDT

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service today announced a second tranche of funding for the Food for Peace, Title II Program. Under a competitive Notice of Funding Opportunity, USDA will accept applications from the Democratic Republic of Congo, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Haiti, Kenya and Rwanda.

USDA announced on February 3, 2026, that pursuant to a temporary interagency agreement, it would administer the Food for Peace, Title II Program. The move transferred management of the historic food assistance program from the U.S. Agency for International Development to USDA.

Context: Food for Peace joins USDA’s existing portfolio of international food assistance programs, including the McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program and Food for Progress.

“USDA is working to return Food for Peace to its core functions,” said Michelle Bekkering, Deputy Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs. “This funding will more responsibly deliver lifesaving food assistance with high-quality American commodities, helping American farmers and producers at home and people in need across the world.”

Eligible Countries for Funding

  • Democratic Republic of Congo
  • El Salvador
  • Ethiopia
  • Guatemala
  • Haiti
  • Kenya
  • Rwanda

Food for Peace joins USDA’s portfolio of longstanding food assistance programs, alongside the McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program and Food for Progress.

The Food for Peace NOFO on Grants.gov describes this funding in detail. Eligible applicants include public or private organizations, including intergovernmental organizations and other multilateral organizations.

Application deadline: 5:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time on June 12, 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Food for Peace Title II Program?
Food for Peace is a historic U.S. government food assistance program that provides emergency and development food aid to countries facing hunger and food insecurity. Title II specifically covers the donation of U.S.-grown commodities.

Which countries are eligible for this funding?
The seven eligible countries are: Democratic Republic of Congo, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Haiti, Kenya, and Rwanda.

When was USDA given authority over Food for Peace?
USDA announced the temporary interagency agreement on February 3, 2026, transferring administration of the program from USAID to USDA.

What is the application deadline?
Applications must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time on June 12, 2026.

Where can I find the full NOFO?
The complete Notice of Funding Opportunity is available on Grants.gov.

Who is eligible to apply?
Public or private organizations, including intergovernmental organizations and other multilateral organizations, are eligible to apply.

Author: Qahwa World – Dubai
Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture – Foreign Agricultural Service
Date: May 13, 2026

 

Beans of Change: “ROR Coffee Solutions” Celebrates International Women’s Day with Rwandan Farmers

Posted on by Qahwa World

ROR Coffee Solutions, a locally owned coffee business, kicked off a groovy caffeinated event for International Women’s Day, on Friday, 8th March. The platform was used to announce the significant partnership between ROR Coffee and a Rwandan’s women’s farm. ROR Coffee celebrated this event by graciously hosting Esther Mukangango, a woman farmer from Nyarguru, Rwanda. This remarkable and resilient woman had the chance to express her enthusiasm of being invited to the UAE and experience ROR coffee’s commitment to ethical and sustainable practices.

Esther Mukangango shared her riveting story, by recounting the inspiring journey of 125 women uniting with a common goal to fight poverty by saving and lending money amongst each other. Together, they formed a union called Nyampinga – which translates to “beautiful women in and out.” The women of Nyampinga are recognized for their remarkably high level of cooperative management skills, due to which they were able to collect substantial capital and purchase coffee farms. Their impactful movement earned them global recognition, which led to support from more than three local and international banks to provide these women farmers with working capital for coffee harvesting and processing. Furthermore, with partnership and assistance from non-profit Sustainable Growers, Nyampinga is able to highlight the visibility of women coffee farmers from seed to cup.

In the past, women like Esther had never tasted nor had access to coffee in Rwanda as it was seen as a man’s drink. Esther inspired the audience by expressing pride in not only being able to own coffee farms, but also being able to now export coffee to the USA, Europe and to the Middle East. Attendees at the event were moved as Esther highlighted the fact that she and several other women farmers are now able to solve their primary needs by sending their children to school, paying for health insurance, and contributing to a pension scheme for the elderly.

On the other hand, Esther was quick to spill the beans as she expressed gratitude upon realizing that their diligent efforts were being supported by ROR Coffee. ROR Coffee revealed that a percentage from every product sold will go back to Esther and the Nyampinga cooperative, contributing to a brighter future for them and their communities.

Moreover, ROR enhanced the event by serving a variety of freshly brewed hot coffee imported directly from Esther’s farm in Rwanda for the attendees. They used their efficient electric roasters, which have been implemented to reduce their emissions in line with their sustainability goal of cutting carbon emissions by 20% by 2025. Guests were also treated to an exclusive glimpse of ROR’s collaboration with Frothing Friday’s electric vehicle fleet, utilized for sales, QC and technical purposes – working hand-in-hand to propel them towards their sustainability goals.They also highlighted their fully compostable coffee bags, capsules, and cups across their product portfolio, in a bid to reduce waste.

ROR Coffee’s commitment to fair trade and their partnership with Rwandan women farmers marks a significant milestone in their commitment to support and empower women. The success of their impactful event serves as a beacon, inspiring other companies in the coffee industry to not only adopt similar practices but also contribute to fostering a more fair world for women farmers and cultivating a sustainable environment.