[Imc-newsroom] Headline for NewsHour

[Molly Stentz]

Bush To Eliminate Food Stamps at Farmers Markets

Next year, mothers, children, and seniors may no longer be able to
purchase fresh fruits and vegetables at Farmers Markets as part of the
Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) <<pronounced "wick">> Food Assistance
Program. Bush's newly released budget for the USDA (US Dept of
Agriculture) which operates the WIC program, contains no funding for this
program.

The program which allows poor pregnant mothers, new mothers and their
children to use some of their food money to purchase fresh produce
at Farmers Markets, has been seen as a way to both support family farmers
and to encourage persons with low incomes (those with typically the diets
highest lowest in nutrition) to eat healthy nutritious food.
The program was expanded to specifically add seniors last year.

Yet the Bush Administration says "(They) accept the need and
responsibility for making tough choices", citing the need to focus its
spending on "broad-based, more universally established programs". Over
14,600 farmers participated in the program last year.

Environmental and anti-poverty organizations are joining some
legislators in campaigning to restore the program and the program for
seniors to $25 million. Public comment ends this Wednesday.


Submitted by Molly Stentz

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