Food program gets boost in stop-gap US spending bill | Food and Environment Reporting Network

The Commodity Supplemental Food Program is among a limited number of programs to get increased funding in the Republican-drafted bill to fund the government through Dec 11. The House Appropriations Committee said its package, unveiled on Tuesday, offsets food price increases so that no CSFP recipients would lose benefits. Chairman Hal Rogers of Kentucky said the 21-page bill “is free of controversial riders, maintains current levels (of spending), and does not seek to change existing federal policies.”

Section 116 of the bill specifies an annual spending rate of $208.7 million for CSFP, up from the $202.7 million appropriated for this fiscal year, which ends on Sept 30. The program was remodeled by the 2014 farm law to focus on providing food packages for low-income people who are 60 and older. CSFP food packages may include dry milk, juice, oats, breakfast cereal, rice, pasta, peanut butter, dry beans, and canned meats, fruits and vegetables, says USDA.

House debate of the 10-week sending bill is expected on Thursday, said Politico. The short-term bill is necessary to keep the government running after Sept 30.