Compromise farm bill due for vote in House

Food bank operators, red raspberry growers and a whole lot of farmers may be tuning into C-SPAN today.

That’s because the House of Representatives may act on a new farm bill. If passed it will then go to the Senate.

This massive piece of legislation includes crop subsidies that are controversial and support for specialty crops such as red raspberries that are not. There’s stuff in it for organic farmers and tax breaks for broadband users.

Here is an AP story on the bill.

One of the more important elements that hasn’t earned many headlines is increased funding for food banks and a boost in the food stamp program.

According to a press release from U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen:

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 the bill which goes to commodity subsidies.

The Emergency Food Assistance Program which provides direct aid to food banks and soup kitchens across the country will receive a 78 percent boost in funding.

A hike in federal dollars for the food stamp program will provide increased benefits for an estimated 239,000 individuals across Washington state, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.

Larsen announced today he is backing the bill.