Today U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) announced his support for a farm bill agreement between the House and Senate which makes historic investments in Washington state’s specialty crop producers and in initiatives to feed hungry families in Northwest Washington and across the country. The House is scheduled to vote on the bill today. Both the House and Senate must past the farm bill conference report before it can be sent to the President’s desk.
“This farm bill is great news for Northwest Washington growers,” said U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen, who has worked for years to strengthen federal investments in specialty crops. “This bipartisan farm bill agreement builds on the strong provisions we put in the House bill and invests $1.3 billion to help local growers compete with farms down the road and around the world. Investments in research, pest management, trade promotion and nutrition initiatives are money well spent, not only for local fruit and vegetable growers but for the families who rely on them for wholesome food. I call on my colleagues in Congress to support this important legislation.”
Past farm bills have largely neglected specialty crops, which account for almost fifty percent of total agricultural cash receipts in Washington state and nationally. Washington’s specialty crops include potatoes, raspberries and nursery products, and Washington is the third-largest producer of specialty crops in the country.
In April 2007, Larsen held meetings with Northwest Washington growers in three counties to hear their thoughts as Congress began writing the 2007 farm bill. Larsen brought their concerns back to Congress and -- with several of his colleagues -- introduced the “Equitable Agriculture Today for a Healthy America Act” (EAT Healthy American Act), legislation to strengthen investments in specialty crops, in March 2007. Provisions from that bill were included in the House-Senate farm bill agreement being considered this week, including strong support for specialty crop block grants, trade assistance and the fruit and vegetable snack program.
“This farm bill agreement is a historic step forward for Washington state growers,” said Henry Bierlink, Executive Director of the Washington State Red Raspberry Commission. “Investments in competiveness, research and trade promotion are critical to the long-term survival of our specialty crop industry. We call on Congress to pass this bill, and we urge the President to sign it into law.”
Nearly three quarters of the farm bill goes to hunger and nutrition programs that help 38 million American families afford wholesome food, compared to just thirteen percent of bill which goes to commodity subsidies. The farm bill increases support for The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), which provides direct aid to food banks and soup kitchens across the country, by 78 percent next year, as well as adding $50 million to address shortages this year. The farm bill requires that future funding for TEFAP rise with inflation in the coming years, ensuring a consistent funding source for food banks. It also strengthens the federal investment in food stamps and will provide increased food stamp benefits for an estimated 239,000 individuals across Washington state, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. Seventy-seven percent of food stamp benefits go to households with children.
“One sign that the economic downturn is taking a toll on Northwest Washington families is how many are turning to local food banks for help,” Larsen continued. “I am pleased that the farm bill provides a 78 percent increase in funding for The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) to help food banks in Northwest Washington feed those in need, as well as strengthening support for food stamps, most of which go to families with children.”
This year, American consumers could face the most dramatic increase in food prices in 17 years, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, with the price of essential items like milk and eggs going through the roof.
“While the lines at our food bank have gotten longer, the purchasing power of The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) has decreased making it more difficult for us to help Whatcom County families in need,” said Mike Cohen, Executive Director of the Bellingham Food Bank, who met with Larsen earlier this month at the new site of the Bellingham food bank, where they talked about the need for stronger federal support for hunger initiatives. “The farm bill’s 78 percent increase in TEFAP funding couldn’t come at a better time for hungry families in Northwest Washington,” Cohen continued. “We are eager for Congress to pass this important legislation that will provide direct relief to the hungry families we serve.”
In Whatcom County, visits to the Bellingham food bank are up more than 25 percent to the highest levels ever, according to the Bellingham Herald. According to the Skagit Valley Herald, more local families are turning to food banks for help while a worsening economy is making in harder for local food banks to keep their shelves stocked.
“Since the beginning of the Farm Bill deliberations, the cost of food and the need for hunger relief has only risen,” said Linda Nageotte, President and CEO of Food Lifeline, Washington state’s largest hunger relief agency. “Nearly 600,000 people in Washington state, many of whom are working, rely on the Food Stamp Program to feed their families. However, current benefits average just $1 per meal and that dollar is worth less and less each day. For Food Lifeline and our network of 300 food banks and meal programs across Western Washington, this means longer lines at the same time that our donation supplies are dwindling. The Nutrition Title of the Farm Bill Conference Report makes significant, critical, and timely investments to help end hunger in our state and our nation, and we strongly support its passage.”
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