in some ways food aid is an outmoded form of assistance and it is surprising to see diat the region still receives more dian million tons per year most of diis continues to be shipped long distances which can be slow and inefficient and may not deliver food that is culturally appropriate fao such transfers not only give recipients greater freedom regarding how to use the money but the transfers offer greater benefits than even locallysourced food in stimulating the local economy through multiplier effects