|
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Food Crisis?
This morning's New York Times has a story about New York City food banks whose supplies are falling futher and further behind demand. The Oregon Food Bank has been having the same problem. The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), according to both food banks, is partially to blame for the rundown in available food.
TEFAP supplies food banks all across the country with commodities that they turn into consumable products. It's a part of the "Farm Bill," a collection of nutrition, farm assistance, and conservation programs. The Farm Bill, as you may know, is up for reauthorization this year. The House has passed its version, but the Senate has not. The President opposes the bill but has not directly threatened to veto it.
A quick look at FedSpending.org shows that TEFAP expeditures have decreased by about 1/3rd over the last 3 years.
But fortunately, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, the House-passed Farm Bill nearly doubles the ceiling that TEFAP funding has to stay under. The Senate ought to hurry up and pass the same funding increase before things get even worse.
Posted by Matt Lewis
|