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Bread for the World Urges Reforms as Farm Bill Expiration Looms

WASHINGTON, Apr. 08 /PRNewswire/ --

WASHINGTON, April 8, 2008 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Bread for the World today urged congressional leaders to get the farm bill back on a path to genuine reform. The current farm bill is set to expire on April 18.

"They must deliver a farm bill that transcends politics-as-usual and is designed to help those who need it most," said Rev. David Beckmann, president, Bread for the World. "Nutrition programs must be kept at the House-approved level of $11.5 billion over 10 years. We cannot and should not keep subsidizing wealthy farmers when food stamp recipients are getting squeezed by skyrocketing food prices and the ailing economy."

The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates that the monthly grocery costs for a typical low-income family shot up 7.2 percent in 2007 - a three-fold increase over the previous year's 2.4 percent increase.

Meanwhile, the average food stamp family's benefit grew by only 4.8 percent, leaving low-income households well short of the assistance they need to provide food for their families. The struggling U.S. economy has helped to spur a 5.6 percent increase in the number of households participating in the food stamp program over the past year. Nearly 28 million Americans now receive food stamps and the number is projected to rise even more.

"Genuine reform of the commodity payments system is the key to a farm bill that reflects the nation's values and addresses its most urgent priorities," Rev. Beckmann said. "Without it, our policies will continue to direct money to relatively wealthy farmers while high-priority needs remain unmet."

Bread for the World (www.bread.org) is a collective Christian voice urging our nation's decision makers to end hunger at home and abroad. By changing policies, programs and conditions that allow hunger and poverty to persist, we provide help and opportunity far beyond the communities where we live.