The United States is to give North Korea 50,000 tonnes of food aid.
A State Department spokesman announced the United States would offer North Korea 50,000 metric tons of "agricultural commodities" through the UN World Food Program, saying: "It is a humanitarian act based on need and not based on political considerations and not linked to six party talks."
He said the United States gave North Korea 50,000 tons last year and 100,000 tons the year before.
The offer of food aid, which the State Department described as a humanitarian gesture, follows positive statements by North Korea and hints from Asian officials Pyongyang may be ready to resume six-party talks on giving up its nuclear ambitions.
The State Department said political factors do not affect food aid decisions and denied the latest offer aimed to bring North Korea back to talks last held a year ago today with South Korea, the United States, China, Japan and Russia.
North Korea, which in February said it had nuclear arms, has softened its tone recently and its leader, Kim Jong-il, was quoted last week as saying his nation was willing to end its boycott of the talks if the United States showed it respect.
Historically, the United States has said its food aid to North Korea is based on Pyongyang's need for food, competing needs elsewhere, and the ability to monitor the distribution of food in North Korea.