Washington wheat farmers are sending some of their crops to North Korea, as the reclusive country opens its borders to expanded international aid.

Ships filled with Inland Northwest wheat arrived in the country this week as part of a humanitarian effort. The 37,000 metric tons unloaded in the port of Nampo represents roughly 1 percent of all the wheat grown annually in Washington. The wheat shipment and future shipments will be administered by the United Nations.

U. S. officials say the shipment, purchased by the federal government, is enough grain to help feed 5 million people, many of them impoverished and hungry after floods ravaged the nation’s crops.

Acquiring wheat had been problematic for the country, which, despite its desire of self-reliance and standing army of 1 million soldiers, has relied heavily upon international food aid since the mid-1990s.

Because the country lacks adequate milling facilities, the wheat will be cooked into gruel. (Spokesman-Review)