Senate Agriculture Committee Brings Relief To Food Banks And Hungry Americans

Committee Passed Farm Bill Strengthens Critical Federal Nutrition Programs

CHICAGO --- October 25, 2007 --- The Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee approved a Farm Bill today that would boost dwindling inventories at food banks nationwide and make important improvements in the Food Stamp Program.  The bill provides $4.3 billion in new investments in federal nutrition programs.

“We are very grateful to Senators Harkin and Chambliss and their colleagues on the  Committee for their leadership in moving forward with a strong nutrition title in the Farm Bill,” said Vicki Escarra, president and chief executive officer of America’s Second Harvest—The Nation’s Food Bank Network.  “This legislation will bring much needed relief to our food banks and the more than 25 million people we serve each year.  I am very pleased that despite severe budget constraints, Senators Harkin and Chambliss were able to find resources to make these critical investments.”

The legislation comes at a time when food banks nationwide are experiencing a dramatic decline in food aid from surplus purchases by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).  The declines are primarily a result of a strong agricultural economy in recent years.  This results in USDA purchasing and distributing much less surplus food.  The value of USDA food support to emergency feeding organizations has declined dramatically in recent years.  Last year, the value of USDA donated food was $175 million less than in 2003.

The increased funding for the Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) will help address this decline, and provisions strengthening the Food Stamp Program will benefit millions of Americans.

“Improvements in TEFAP and food stamps are both critical to ensuring that we have an adequate safety net for hungry Americans,” said Escarra.  “America’s Second Harvest food banks will continue our work to end hunger in America, but we can not do it alone.  The Senate bill is moving us one step closer to accomplishing this important mission.”

The House passed a Farm Bill in late July.  The full Senate is expected to consider the bill passed by the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee in the next few weeks.

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America's Second Harvest - The Nation's Food Bank Network is the largest charitable domestic hunger-relief organization in the United States. Through its network of more than 200 member food banks, America's Second Harvest annually provides assistance to more than 25 million people in need, including more than 9 million children and nearly 3 million seniors in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Each year, America's Second Harvest secures and distributes more than 2 billion pounds of donated food and grocery products to support feeding programs at approximately 50,000 local charitable agencies, including food pantries, soup kitchens, emergency shelters, after-school programs, and Kids Cafes.  To learn more, please visit www.secondharvest.org.

Contact:
Maura Daly
Office: 312.641.6421
Cell: 301.943.3733

Ross Fraser
Office: 312.641.6422
Cell: 312.307.8470