Weigh In On Farm Bill 2012
by Dennis P. McManus, Government Relations & Advocacy Manager

Every four or five years, Congress “reauthorizes” federal programs affecting food and farms. In essence, the so-called Farm Bill brings most of the critical anti-hunger programs (SNAP/Food Stamps, TEFAP/The Emergency Food Assistance Program and CSFP/Senior Boxes) into existence and dictates how they will operate. We have a unique opportunity to weigh in with the House Agriculture Committee as they craft their version of the Farm Bill 2012. The Committee is actually asking to hear what you think should be included in the next Farm Bill!  There is even a feedback form on the web you can use (until May 20) to make your opinion known.

Don’t know what to say?
Though these programs comprise only one of the 15 sections of the bill, they accounted for nearly 70% of the spending authorized by the 2008 Farm Bill. For those of us focused on fighting hunger, no other piece of legislation is more important.

So when you make your comments, you may wish to:

• Point out that feeding our neighbors is a public-private partnership, and that you are doing your part and you want our government to do its part.
• Explain that cutting anti-hunger programs will increase hunger in America, as well as the associated health care, educational, and economic costs of food insecurity and poor nutrition.
• Ask them to please remember the families who are struggling in our community, and urge them to protect and strengthen important anti-hunger programs like TEFAP, SNAP, and CSFP in the 2012 Farm Bill reauthorization.

From 1933 with the passage of the “Agricultural Adjustment Act,” until 2008 when Congress approved the “Food, Conservation and Energy Act,” there have been 15 so-called Farm Bills. Over 75 years, the official name of the bill has changed and the scope and reach of the legislation has expanded or contracted to reflect national needs, economic conditions and the political environment. Our national needs have rarely been greater, our economic conditions warrant serious help.

All that’s left is the political environment. By using your voice right now, you can shape that environment. You can make certain that the next Farm Bill moves us closer to the end of hunger in America. What you do today can have a big impact for years to come.