Reauthorizing the Farm Bill: Getting it Right for Hungry People

Congress is expected to reauthorize the farm bill in 2007, omnibus legislation which significantly shapes the food and nutrition environment in the United States. In addition to changes to the Food Stamp Program, reauthorization of the farm bill may result in changes to U.S. food aid programs, rural development initiatives, and efforts to address overweight and obesity among children and other low-income individuals. Reauthorization of the farm bill thus offers an opportunity for broad-scale reform the farm bill. While some would like to see the farm bill reauthorized with no major changes, Bread for the World, an anti-hunger advocacy organization, is committed to creating a farm bill that prioritizes the needs of hungry and poor people. Over the past five years, Bread for the World has studied the impact of farm bill programs on rural hunger and poverty. These research efforts culminated in the release of the report Healthy Food, Farms and Families in early 2007 and an ongoing legislative campaign to reform farm bill authorized programs. This presentation will provide an overview of major changes to the farm bill with attention to policies and programs that address the nutritional needs of hungry and poor people. These include the Food Stamp Program, food aid, commodity supplemental food program, and Temporary Emergency Food Assistance Program. Initiatives to increase fruit and vegetable consumption in schools and among low-income populations will also be explored. The presentation will conclude with suggestions for a way forward to improve the health and nutrition of low-income individuals.