Feeding the World, One Bean at a Time: Northern Feed and Bean’s Perspective on U.S. Food Aid

At Northern Feed and Bean, we’ve long believed that agriculture isn’t just about what we grow—it's about who we serve. As a leading processor and distributor of dry beans, we sit at a unique intersection: between American farmers and the global families who rely on our crops for nutrition, stability, and opportunity. That’s why U.S. food assistance programs matter so deeply to us. They don’t just move product—they move purpose.

Beans: Small but Mighty

Dry beans may not always get the spotlight, but they are a foundational part of food security strategies around the world. High in plant-based protein, fiber, iron, potassium, and other critical micronutrients, dry beans offer a compact nutritional punch that’s affordable, versatile, and culturally adaptable. They're naturally gluten-free, cholesterol-free, and low in fat—ideal for communities facing limited access to meat, dairy, or fortified staples.

From the processing floor in Colorado to distribution centers across Africa, Southeast Asia, and Latin America, Northern Feed and Bean has seen firsthand how a simple product like pinto or black beans can improve diets, fortify school lunch programs, and stabilize households in crisis.

Supporting More Than a Market—Supporting a Mission

At the heart of U.S. food aid is the American farmer. Most of the producers we work with are multigenerational family farmers—people who view feeding others not as a transaction, but as a vocation. As Jay Ewald, Chairman of the USDBC Food Aid Committee and a proud farmer himself, put it in his recent speech: “If you ask an American farmer what their job is, they’ll simply tell you, ‘My job is to feed the world.’”

Food aid programs give farmers a way to live that mission. These programs channel surplus U.S. crops into life-saving humanitarian assistance, reducing waste while supporting communities in need. But more than that, they build long-term trust and partnerships between U.S. agriculture and the global community. It’s diplomacy through food—something we at Northern Feed and Bean are proud to be part of.

Dry Beans: A Regenerative, Resilient Choice

From a sustainability standpoint, beans are one of the most forward-looking crops we grow. They require less water than animal protein or many grains, making them an ideal choice for drought-prone areas. As legumes, they fix nitrogen in the soil, improving fertility for future crops and reducing the need for synthetic fertilizers. They also help break pest and disease cycles, supporting healthier crop rotations and decreasing chemical dependency.

In a world grappling with climate change and resource constraints, the environmental profile of beans isn’t just a bonus—it’s a necessity.

Bridging Relief and Resilience: From Aid to Trade

Food assistance shouldn’t end at emergency relief. We believe it should be a stepping stone to something more enduring: local self-reliance, stronger agricultural systems, and future trade relationships. By integrating U.S. technology, agricultural education, and supply chain support into aid programs, we can help build stronger food systems in partner countries—moving them from dependency toward economic independence.

At Northern Feed and Bean, we’ve seen how these connections can evolve. Countries that once relied heavily on food aid are now emerging as trading partners. That’s the long game: supporting relief today while planting the seeds for tomorrow’s prosperity.

The Value of Smart Investment

Every dollar invested in food assistance should do more than feed the hungry—it should make America stronger, safer, and more prosperous. That’s not just rhetoric. When food aid supports rural U.S. economies, opens new markets, and fosters global goodwill, it generates real, measurable returns.

To maximize that value, we must modernize. A more flexible, locally responsive aid system—one that combines direct commodity support with strategic investment in local infrastructure—can drive greater efficiency and long-term impact. And farmers, processors, and exporters must remain key voices in that process.

A Shared Commitment

We’re proud to work alongside organizations like the U.S. Dry Bean Council, USDA, and our network of growers to ensure that American beans reach those who need them most. But this is more than a business initiative—it’s a shared commitment to building a food system that reflects our values: sustainability, generosity, and smart global leadership.

At Northern Feed and Bean, we don’t just measure success in pounds shipped. We measure it in lives nourished, economies strengthened, and communities empowered.

We’re grateful to be part of this work—and we’re ready to do more.