# UN Appoints U.S. Agriculture Official to Head World Food Program

> U.S. agriculture official Luke Lindberg named head of UN's World Food Program amid funding challenges.
- Title: UN Appoints U.S. Agriculture Official to Head World Food…
- Summary: U.S. agriculture official Luke Lindberg named head of UN's World Food Program amid funding challenges. Luke Lindberg, U.S. agriculture undersecretary, will…
- Keywords: lukelindberg, worldfoodprogram, usagriculture, cindy mccain, carl skau, fundingshortfalls, wfp, news, local, Appoints, Agriculture, Official
- Source: Seattletimes — https://seattletimes.com/nation-world/nation/un-appoints-us-agriculture-official-luke-lindberg-to-head-the-world-food-program
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: lukelindberg, worldfoodprogram, un, usagriculture, cindy mccain, carl skau, fundingshortfalls, wfp, news, local
## UN Announces New World Food Program Head
The United Nations announced Friday the appointment of U.S. agriculture official Luke Lindberg to head the World Food Program.
## Lindberg Replaces Cindy McCain
Lindberg, the son-in-law of Senate Majority Leader John Thune, will replace Cindy McCain as executive director of the Rome-based World Food Program.
## WFP Faces Funding Shortfalls
The World Food Program aims to help 110 million people this year despite 266 million facing acute hunger due to funding cuts.
## U.S. Leadership in WFP Donations
The United States has been the largest donor to the U.N. food agency since the early 1990s, with Lindberg now leading the program.
## Lindberg's Background
Lindberg, 37, founded the South Dakota Trade Association and served as chief of staff at the U.S. Export-Import Bank during Trump's first term.
## McCain Steps Down After Stroke
Cindy McCain stepped down in February after suffering a mild stroke in October 2025, with Guterres and Qu praising her leadership.
## Key takeaway

Luke Lindberg, U.S. agriculture undersecretary, will lead World Food Program as it faces funding shortfalls to feed 110 million people.