Food bank would benefit from farm bill approval

Leona Martens wants to keep feeding hungry people in Weld County.

That's why she says passage of the federal farm bill this year is imperative.

Martens, executive director of the Weld Food Bank, said about 9,000 people rely on the food bank each month. In the past eight months, however, federal contributions of food decreased 60 percent because a thriving food market has meant less extra food that the U.S. Department of Agriculture buys from food growers and gives to food banks.

Under the proposed farm bill that passed the House of Representatives on Wednesday afternoon, $1.2 billion would be earmarked for use in America's food banks, a lot more than the $140 million Congress provides for food purchases now.

Martens said the food bank could see a 50 percent increase in the amount of food it gets if the bill becomes law.

"That's a hunk of food," Martens said.

Martens said she's appreciative of Rep. Marilyn Musgrave's efforts in the House to help secure the bill's passage.

"She knows what she's talking about," Martens said. "We need people standing up."

Musgrave said that some people's concerns that the bill isn't fiscally responsible are unfounded. The bill represents 1/4 of 1 percent of the federal budget, Musgrave, R-Fort Morgan, said Wednesday afternoon via conference call.

President George Bush has nearly promised a veto of the bill over what he considers too-generous subsidy caps for rich farmers.

"If the president vetoes this bill, I will lead the fight to override," Musgrave said.

Sen. Ken Salazar, D-Colo., who has worked in the Senate for passage of the farm bill, has previously said he thinks the Senate has enough votes to override a veto.

Martens said she understands that Bush didn't get everything he wanted in the bill, but she thinks the bill should still pass because too many people are relying on it.

"The people we're working with can't wait for perfection, they need the food," Martens said.