Midwest Dry Bean Coalition

A. TO PROMOTE, DOMESTICALLY AND INTERNATIONALLY, THE MARKETING AND CONSUMPTION OF MIDWEST-GROWN DRY BEANS. B.TO ADVOCATE FOR THE NUTRITIONAL BENEFITS OF DRY BEAN CONSUMPTION. C.TO ADVOCATE FOR GOVERNMENT PURCHASES AND CONSUMPTION OF MIDWEST-GROWN DRY BEANS, SUCH AS: DOMESTIC FOOD DISTRIBUTION PROGRAMS (E.G. SCHOOL LUNCH PROGRAMS, SECTION 32 PURCHASES, COMMODITY CORPORATION FOOD FUNDS, ETC.), EXPORT FOOD AID (E.G. PL 480, WORLD FOOD PROGRAM, MCGOVERN-DOLE, KANSAS CITY COMMODITIES OFFICE, ETC.). ADDRESSING REGULATION THAT AFFECTS MIDWEST-BASED DRY BEAN PRODUCTION, PROCESSING, TRANSPORTATION, ETC.. FARM BILL ENGAGEMENT AND GUIDANCE. CROP INSURANCE PROGRAMS AND POLICIES. MEETINGS WITH LEGISLATORS AND REGULATORS AT THE FEDERAL, STATE, TRIBAL AND LOCAL LEVELS, IN THE UNITED STATES AND INTERNATIONALLY.

NORTHARVEST BEAN GROWERS ASSOCIATION AND THE MIDWEST DRY BEAN COALITION SIGNED ONTO A FOOD-AID APPROPRIATIONS LETTER ASKING FOR UP-TO 2.3 BILLION FOR P.L.480, TITLE II FOOD FOR PEACE, FOOD FOR PROGRESS, & MCGOVERN DOLE INTERNATIONAL FOOD FOR EDUCATION WITHIN THE AGRICULTURE-RURAL DEVELOPMENT, FOOD & DRUG ADMINISTRATION, & RELATED AGENCIES FOR APPROPRIATIONS IN THE FARM BILL.

THE MIDWEST DRY BEAN COALITION AND THE NORTHARVEST BEAN GROWERS ASSOCIATION SIGNED ONTO A SUPPORT LETTER FOR THE HOUSE AG COMMITTEE, "FARM, FOOD AND NATIONAL SECURITY ACT OF 2024". THIS SETS A 50% FLOOR FOR U.S. COMMODITIES IN THE FOOD FOR PEACE AGREEMENT.

MITCH ORGANIZED A CALL WITH THE MDBC TO CAPTURE INVENTORIES OF BEANS SO HE COULD SUBMIT A BID TO USAID & USDA-AMS. HERE WAS THE SUBMISSION: 300,000 CWT PINTO @58 = 17,400,000; 200,000 CWT BLACK @63 = 12,600,000; 600,000 CWT NAVY @40 = 24,000,000; 200,000 CWT DARK RED KIDNEY @55 = 11,000,000; 200,000 CWT LIGHT RED KIDNEY @55 = 11,000,000; 200,000 CWT GREAT NORTHERN @58 = 11,600,000. GRAND TOTAL: 1,700,000 CWT = 87.6 MILLION