Food Bank veto was a mistake

Gazette Editorial Board

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During Terry Branstad's first term as governor, his administration created the Food Bank of Iowa in 1983 as a response to the Midwest Farm Crisis. Today, he still helps lead an annual fund drive to raise private donations for that non-profit organization, which distributes food to needy Iowans through 425 partner agencies in 55 counties. Clearly, the governor's support of the Food Bank and its mission is not in doubt.

Yet Branstad is still receiving strong criticism about his May 25 veto of a $500,000 state appropriation for the Food Bank. And while much of the criticism may be for political gain, we do think the veto was a mistake.

In better economic times, tapping tax dollars to help provide emergency food allocations isn't necessary. The federal food stamps and private donations to the Food Bank and other regional and local food pantries and meals programs essentially cover the need.

That's not the case right now. Since March 2007, just before the Great Recession began, the number of Iowans in need of food assistance has soared about 70 percent. Many food pantries and meal programs around the state are still reporting heavy demand that is draining their stocks faster than they can replace them. And our federal government's massive debt problems may lead to cuts in the food stamp allocation.

In these conditions, a modest state appropriation to help fellow Iowans is appropriate.

What's more, the $500,000 figure approved by legislators represents a compromise from the original proposal of $2 million. In an era when partisan gridlock too often develops, it seems counterproductive to strike a reasonable legislative compromise - especially when the appropriation is small compared to the state's overall healthy fiscal condition that the Branstad administration has helped bring about.

We agree with Sen. Jeff Danielson, D-Cedar Falls, who said the appropriation was “a thoughtful, fiscally responsible way” for the state to ensure no Iowan has to go without daily nutrition.

Food Bank officials also point out that the summer is a particularly demanding time for its assistance because children from low-income families who get free or reduced-cost meals during the school year don't have the same access.

If the governor hadn't vetoed the appropriation, it would have been the first such state assistance. Iowa is one of a dozen states that does not have a state-supported emergency food program.

Adding a program the first time always raises the risk that it will then grow beyond the need because politicians are too often reluctant to pull the plug or cut back.

But when it comes to something as basic as getting enough to eat, and times are especially tough, the state does have a role as a backup partner.

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