Lorena Alfaro joins USDBC as Food Aid Specialist

At USDBC’s February Board meeting, the Food Aid committee selected Lorena Alfaro to fill a new contract position developing and managing the food assistance portfolio. Alfaro has a wealth of experience in the commodity marketing and food aid field, having worked as the food aid representative for the American Soybean Association (ASA), as well as for the USA Dry Pea and Lentil Council (USDPLC). She brings proven experience and a track record of success in helping PVOs, the World Food Programme (WFP), and federal agencies understand the nutritional profile and value of various U.S. commodities.

Lorena Alfaro named as Food Aid Specialist

Prior to working on food assistance management with ASA and USDPLC, Alfaro managed the global export strategy for the Distilled Spirits Council of the U.S., and most recently has served as Senior Researcher and Consultant to Greenhouse Communications where, she engages in campaigns that promote U.S. agricultural exports as sustainably-produced. She has also worked with the U.S. Dairy Export Council, managing a consortium of food-sector stakeholders seeking to dismantle global regulatory trade barriers.

Ms. Alfaro will begin work immediately seeking to better position U.S. dry beans as an ideal solution to global food insecurity and malnutrition in conjunction with U.S. government funded food assistance programs such as; McGovern Dole, Food for Progress, and Title II PL 480 Food for Peace. In addition to enhancing strong ties with USDA, USAID, and program implementers (PVOs, WFP), Alfaro will focus her time in the field, providing the U.S. dry bean industry with a roadmap and contacts in a select group of high opportunity countries in Sub Saharan Africa and Central America where beans are an ideal fit for the feeding rations used to provide daily nutrition. Policy work in the U.S. will still fall under the responsibility of U.S. based USDBC staff and food aid committee members. USDBC welcomes Lorena and looks forward to strengthening our current food aid portfolio and in the field presence with her assistance.