A U.S. newspaper says rising food prices have helped cut U.S. food aid to its lowest level in a decade, and have possibly resulted in more hungry people around the world.

The New York Times cites data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture showing the United States has bought less than half the food aid this year than it bought in 2000.

The report says higher food prices have not only reduced U.S. food aid for the hungry, but also are making it harder for the poorest people to buy food.

United Nations World Food Program executive director Josette Sheeran told the NY Times it is feared the steady rise in food prices will affect those most in need.

The growing use of corn to produce ethanol is partly to blame for rising U.S. food prices.

The United States is the world's largest food donor.

Some information for this report was provided by Reuters.