CANTERA PARTNERS

Leaders in USDA and USAID Food Aid Programs 

Since 2000, Cantera Partners has been a trusted partner for non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and private voluntary organizations (PVOs) in implementing USDA Food for Progress and USAID Food for Peace programs. With extensive expertise in food aid monetization, Cantera Partners has successfully monetized over $460 million in USDA and USAID food aid commodities, equating to more than 950,000 metric tons globally. Our commitment to global food security ensures that we deliver impactful solutions for sustainable development through these critical food aid programs.

Your Partner in Pursuing Global Food Aid Initiatives

Cantera Partners is focused on developing, managing and executing international U.S. commodity monetizations through U.S. government programs.

Proposal & Program Development

Experienced in assisting its partners in developing proposals and programs in response to a U.S. government RFP. We have worked alongside our clients in providing guidance on structure, organization, and formation of  a proposal response.

Commodity Monetization

Our team has successfully sold over $460 million dollars worth of U.S. commodities and over 950,000 metric tons through USDA and USAID food aid initiatives.

Market Analysis

Assisted in developing over 50 commodity management strategies and monetization plans for USDA Food for Progress and USAID Food for Peace initiatives. Our team has over 50 years of monetization and proposal writing experience designed to win government awards.

How it Began

In 2000, Burlington Capital became aware of a large surplus of milk powder in the USA and began to look for ways to monetize that surplus on behalf of the USDA. After the war in Afghanistan, the US government was anxious to provide support to the Afghan people and the milk powder became an excellent opportunity to make that happen. Burlington Capital formed a new company called Cantera Partners and together with the Aga Khan Foundation, developed a program for reconstituting the milk powder into UHT milk packets for distribution to school children and families in Afghanistan. This program was a 5-year program and resulted in the distribution of approximately $50 million of milk powder to Afghan families.

Global Agribusiness

Dedicated to bringing together the public and private sector to implement programs designed to modernize and strengthen agricultural sectors in emerging countries.

WHERE WE WORK

Recent News

Team Building

Team Building

Jun 24, 2025

Our team had the privilege of volunteering at the Heart Ministry Center! It was a meaningful...

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2024 Year in Review

2024 Year in Review

Jan 7, 2025

As we close the chapter on 2024, a year that marked our 40th anniversary as a company, we take a...

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How can we help?

Meet our Team

Ben Kalhorn

Ben Kalhorn

Executive Vice President

Amb. Christopher Goldthwait

Amb. Christopher Goldthwait

Senior Consultant

Dale Kabat

Dale Kabat

Consultant

Dawson Williams

Dawson Williams

Consultant

What commodities does Cantera Partners handle?

Cantera manages various USDA and USAID food aid commodities, including wheat, soybean meal, rice, non-fat dried milk, and crude degummed soybean oil.

What is the USDA Food for Progress program?

This program focuses on boosting agricultural productivity and expanding trade in developing nations. It works by donating U.S. agricultural commodities, which are then sold in local markets. The proceeds fund projects that strengthen agricultural value chains, improve productivity, and support trade and market development. 

How does Cantera Partners ensure program impact?

By leveraging years of experience in monetization, Cantera develops detailed commodity management strategies and conducts thorough in-country market research to address the unique challenges of each program.

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