Bush budget eliminates Commodity Supplemental Food Program that feeds half-million poor elderly

The President’s budget proposal released Monday eliminates the important Commodity Supplemental Food Program, which costs 108 million annually and feeds some half-million elderly persons as well as impoverished children and pregnant/nursing mothers. In Michigan, for example, the program “provides more than 78,000 poor seniors andothers in Michigan with nutritious food The program, which costs about $108 millionannually, distributes monthly food packets to seniors and alimited number of mothers and children.  ‘For many seniors it would be devastating. Many of themare homebound and can’t get out,” said FrankKubik, the Detroit-based president of the National CommoditySupplemental Food Program Association.’  Documents released by the government said spending onMichigan’s Medicaid program, which provides health carefor the poor and disabled, would be reduced by about $173million, from an estimated $5.33 billion in the currentbudget year to a proposed $5.16 billion in the budget yearbeginning on Oct. 1.”  MLive.com, http://www.mlive.com/newsflash/topstories/index.ssf?/base/news-41/1170721459213160.xml

For more about the CSFP, visit the USDA website at http://www.fns.usda.gov/fdd/programs/csfp/

Ed:  What’s next?  Soylent Green?