Congress Passing Farm Bill, Feeding Hundreds of Thousands of Texans

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The Center for Public Policy Priorities released on May 30th that Texas will receive almost $675 Million US Dollars in new money under the Farm Bill. With the costs of food causing problems in homes across America, this will provide some relief for some nearly 900,000 who will be newly qualified to receive food stamp benefits.

According to the press release, national food costs are up from last year as follows:

eggs 25%
milk 17%
cheese 15%
rice 13%
bread 12%

The Farm Bill also expands the recipients of programs such as Emergency Food Assistance, School Meals Programs and Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Programs.

For many Texans, the rising costs associated with the national economy problems is far from manageable. Gas prices are siphoning away paychecks, leaving almost no money for basic needs. With nearly 2 million already picking up their food from food banks and 60 percent of the children on free and reduced lunches, this additional funding says a lot about those in need but had fallen through the cracks as far as outdated guidelines that were not measuring up to the real state of the economy.

The Farm Bill is also said to provide an economical boost in that it will generate spending at local grocery stores across the nation, thereby triggering a beneficial supply and demand that will contribute to the economy:

"USDA estimates that every $5 in Food Stamp benefits generates $9.20 in local economic activity".

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For more information on the Farm Bill, click here.

The controversy surrounding the Farm Bill was defeated, as overwhelming numbers in both the Senate and the House showed bipartisan support for the bill that was designed to provide help to those who need it most.

As the summer food programs in the state continue to feed children under the age of 18-years-old, and some adults at some locations, for free in certain schools, this additional money will help provide Texas families with a few less worries, at least with regards to where their next meal will come from.