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NEW YORK, NY May 18, 2008 —Food pantries and soup kitchens around the city have been struggling with rising food costs. But they could get a much-needed boost from the recent passage of a federal Farm Bill. WNYC's Cindy Rodriguez reports:

REPORTER: The current farm bill increases the money for emergency food from $140 million to $250 million over five years. The Food Bank for New York City says the federal government's contribution has not kept up with the cost of food. Vice President of Government Relations Anya Duggan says the extra money will help.

DUGGAN: but we're still going to be behind and we're still not going to be able to meet the demand that's out there but it is a step in the right direction.

REPORTER: The Food Bank for New York City supplies about 1,000 soup kitchens and food pantries with food. President Bush has opposed the Farm Bill for among other reasons the generous subsidies it gives to farmers currently making substantial profits.

For WNYC, I'm Cindy Rodriguez