By Anonymous Is there any good reason that excess food now being discarded or destroyed by federal agencies and contractors shouldn't be given to the poor instead? None at all, as long as the food is safe to eat.

By JEN LYNDS; OF THE NEWS STAFF CARIBOU - For the second time in as many weeks, Catholic Charities Maine Home Supplies and Food Bank has been touched by the spirit of giving, having received a sizeable donation of food that the organization has shared with food pantries across the state.

By Jen Lynds, Bangor Daily News, Maine Dec. 13--For the second time in as many weeks, Catholic Charities Maine Home Supplies and Food Bank has been touched by the spirit of giving, having received a sizeable donation of food that the organization has shared with food pantries across the state.

The three major food banks of northern New England -- Good Shepherd Food Bank (ME), New Hampshire Food Bank, and the Vermont Foodbank -- are urging their Senators to press for the speedy passage of the Farm Bill (H.R. 2419) currently stalled in a partisan debate on the Senate floor.

By ANNE GLEASON Staff Writer -- When the costs of housing, gas, heating oil and health care rise, the food money in a household budget is often the first thing to be cut.