The Nation : Reagan Signs Emergency Food Measure

President Reagan signed a compromise version of a Democratic-sponsored measure to bolster the government’s emergency food programs. The measure authorizes expenditures of $1.648 billion over a three-year period. Reagan made no comment in signing the bill, which increases funds for federal programs providing food stamps, school breakfasts, child care food and summer food programs. The bill extends for two years the Temporary Emergency Food Assistance Program, under which surplus food is made available to states for distribution to the needy. It also increases food stamp benefit levels and assistance under the school breakfast and child care food programs. It authorizes demonstration projects on nutrition.