; (2) respond to, mitigate, and prevent famines and food crises arising from natural and man-made disasters; (3) improve food and nutrition security while building resilience to shocks, particularly among vulnerable groups; (4) advance democracy and free market principles, facilitate trade, and catalyze inclusive, agriculture-led economic growth in developing countries; and (5) reduce long-term reliance upon United States foreign assistance. (b) Efficiency and effectiveness of United States international food assistance It is the policy of the United States to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of United States international food assistance activities by— (1) coordinating with, and seeking commitments of appropriate levels of food assistance by, donors to meet the legitimate needs of developing countries and countries experiencing food crises; (2) ensuring that food assistance continues to be provided through appropriate channels, including through— (A) intergovernmental and multilateral organizations; (B) international, national, and local private voluntary, nongovernmental, faith-based, and civil society organizations; and (C) national and local governments and institutions; and (3) ensuring, to the maximum extent practicable, that options for providing food assistance for emergency and nonemergency purposes, including through the provision of in-kind agricultural commodities or other forms of United States foreign assistance, are not subject to limitation, provided that— (A) decisions about to whom, when, where, and how to provide assistance are based on thorough assessments of need, timeliness, appropriateness, cost-effectiveness, and risk of diversion and waste; and (B) such assistance is provided in a manner that— (i) avoids disincentives to local agricultural production and marketing; and (ii) minimizes commercial market disruptions