Collins deserves thanks for her efforts on FRESH

Kennebec Journal - Your editorial from last week (Dec. 7), "Maine's GOP Senators Must Help Farm Bill" was correct that one of the most important things we can do to help hungry people right now is to weigh in with our senators to urge broad reform of the farm bill. However, when we call Sen. Susan Collins' office, we also should be thanking her for her leadership in being a co-sponsor of the FRESH amendment, the only comprehensive reform amendment currently on the table.

FRESH would broaden the agricultural safety net by making a free revenue insurance program available to all farmers. This would save billions of dollars that would be used to invest in nutrition programs, fruit and vegetable (specialty crop) programs, critical conservation efforts and the McGovern-Dole international school feeding program. In addition to fully paying for the nutrition improvements in the Senate bill, FRESH would invest an additional $2.2 billion above the Senate bill in nutrition and anti-hunger programs.

This change would be best for hungry people in the United States and help level the playing field for small-scale and medium-sized farmers like the majority of growers here in Maine.

Collins should be praised for her bold leadership on this politically sensitive issue. Sen. Olympia Snowe should follow her lead.

Jim Hanna

Board member, Bread for the World

Portland

www.bread.org