On Thursday, the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008, better known as the "farm bill," became law when the U.S. Senate succeeded in overriding the president's veto of the legislation. Vermont's delegation, led by Sen. Leahy and his work on the farm bill conference committee, did the right thing for our dairy farmers, for organic growers, for our rural communities, for protecting environmentally important and at-risk land and waterways, for progress in renewable energy, and for ensuring food security here in the United States and abroad.

Critics of the farm bill have focused on the $280 billion five-year costs of the bill and a perception of inadequate "reform." In fact, more than 73 percent of all the spending in the bill will go to food assistance programs. The reforms in the bill do much to support a strong and diverse agricultural economy — something that is absolutely essential to reducing hunger in America and around the world.

Over the last few years, low-income Vermonters saw the value of their food stamps decline as food inflation and the cost living outpaced the food stamp benefit. This farm bill stops that erosion in food purchasing ability and will enable more than 23,000 low-income Vermonters to buy a more varied and healthy diet at the grocery store. Overall, more than $15 million in new food stamp investments will be made in Vermont over the next five years.

The farm bill also provides $2 million in new and increased support for food banks, food shelves and pantries. USDA commodities provided to needy families will double this year, ending a five-year decline in food donations. More than 770,000 additional meals will be provided to low-income Vermonters through these improvements in the farm bill over the next five years.

In every way, this farm bill is historic in its support for hungry people here in Vermont and around the nation.

The Vermont Foodbank is deeply grateful for Leahy's leadership on improving the food assistance benefits that will help tens of thousands of needy Vermonters attain food security in these difficult times.

Douglas O'Brien

Barre