WOYM - A Food Aid Journey

Wheat's On Your Mind

In this powerful episode of Wheat’s On Your Mind, Peter Laudeman of U.S. Wheat Associates and Justin Gilpin of Kansas Wheat take listeners on a firsthand journey through East and Southern Africa, where U.S.-grown wheat becomes a lifeline for hundreds of thousands.  From witnessing heartbreaking ration cuts at the Kakuma refugee camp near the South Sudan border to observing port logistics in Mombasa, they share stories that illuminate the vital role American wheat plays in global food aid.  Their reflections are both emotional and eye-opening, connecting Kansas farmers to the faces and lives their wheat feeds across the world. But the journey doesn't stop there.  In Lesotho, the pair unexpectedly find themselves amid diplomatic conversations following a major U.S. tariff announcement, turning their visit into a lesson on the complex intersection of trade, aid, and agricultural diplomacy.  They wrap up their mission in Cape Town at the Sub-Saharan Buyers Conference, where the conversation shifts to future market opportunities for hard red winter wheat.  Whether you're a grower, policy enthusiast, or just curious about the global reach of Kansas wheat, this episode offers rare insight into the human impact of agricultural exports and the critical need for strong, stable food aid programs. Timestamps 00:00 – Intro and guest overview 01:00 – Purpose of the African food aid journey 02:50 – Why Kenya was chosen for the visit 05:00 – Justin Gilpin’s reflections on visiting refugee camps 07:00 – Inside Kakuma refugee camp and food distribution challenges 08:30 – Mombasa port operations and U.S. wheat logistics 10:15 – Economic ripple effect of U.S. wheat exports 12:00 – Explaining Food for Peace, and. Food for Progress 14:00 – Policy shifts and the push for USDA program leadership 16:00 – Reality of multi-generational refugee life 19:45 – Lesotho visit and unexpected diplomatic attention 24:00 – Sub-Saharan buyers’ conference in Cape Town 26:30 – Reassuring customers amid tariff and trade turbulence 28:00 – Farewell to Peter Laudeman and closing remarks Kansas Wheat WheatsOnYorMind.com