USAID Food Aid Quality Review Phase II: Technical Report No.10

The contract, known as the Food Aid Quality Review Phase II (FAQR II), aims to improve the quality of Title II food aid commodities and programming. The FAQR II builds on the work performed under the original FAQR and focuses on implementing recommendations made in Phase I for changes in food aid products, programming, and processes. The FAQR II activities include advancing the evidence base through production and testing of improved food products, their packaging and delivery methods, and comparative studies of products' nutritional effectiveness and cost-effectiveness. The work of the FAQR II continues to address three areas of focus: products, programs, and processes. Specific areas of concentration include the development of specifications for updated Fortified Blended Foods (FBF), including Corn Soy Blend 14 (CSB14), as well as milled flours, enhanced vegetable oil, and the micronutrient premix(es). In the area of programs, FAQR II focuses on strengthening the evidence base for food assistance programming through expert consultations and workshops on key topics and issues with representatives of the various Title II implementing agencies and other stakeholders. Multiple activities are being undertaken, including the review of food programming guidance provided to Title II implementing agencies and a review of the data collected from Title II implementing agencies as part of required reporting. Several field studies are also underway, including a study in Malawi to assess the feasibility of ensuring that when CSB is programmed with oil, beneficiaries use the oil as instructed to prepare CSB porridge for beneficiary children. In the area of processes, FAQR II focuses on the formation of an Interagency Food Aid Technical Committee as well as implementing regular meetings with major food aid agencies to address the need for harmonization of food products and related procurement and quality assurance processes used in Title II food aid. During the quarter of January 1, 2014, to March 31, 2014, the following activities were undertaken. In the area of products, the FAQR team members visited the producer of the Ready to Use Supplementary Food (RUSF) for Burkina Faso with the USAID Food Technologist. The team completed the first draft of the product rollout and supply chain report. The team also continued to monitor results from accelerated shelf life and stability studies of Corn Soy Whey Blend (CSWB), Super Cereal Plus (SC+), Corn Soy Blend Plus (CSB+), and RUSF. In the area of programs, the FAQR team members conducted Phase I data collection in Malawi, data collection preparation in Burkina Faso, and data collection preparation in Sierra Leone. The study in Malawi focused on sharing the baseline results with field partners and beginning the Phase 1 round of data collection. The study in Burkina Faso will assess the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of the new CSB14, delivered with oil, as compared with alternatives such as lipid-based nutrition supplement (LNS) products and other fortified blended foods, in the prevention of moderate wasting, the prevention of stunting, and the promotion of adequate growth in children 6-23 months. The FAQR II continues to advance the evidence base for food assistance programming and improve the quality of Title II food aid commodities and programming. The work of the FAQR II is focused on implementing recommendations made in Phase I for changes in food aid products, programming, and processes, and continues to address the three areas of focus: products, programs, and processes.