Setting out specific recommendations in a new report, the US Agency for International Development (USAID) said food contributions should contain "fortified" products with certain vitamins added.
The food aid is particularly aimed at children from new-borns to two years old, as well as nursing mothers and patients being treated for HIV/AIDS.
"Implementing these proposals will help children learn better, grow stronger and achieve their full potential," USAID chief Rajiv Shah said in a statement.
"Optimizing our food aid programs, combined with our Feed the Future Initiative can help us build toward the goal of ending hunger in a generation."
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton put forward a $3.5-billion American plan in September 2009 to boost world food security.