tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2335748440449035592.post4654636683627905871..comments2008-07-13T23:00:39.526-04:00TraderMarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06241756200482130281noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2335748440449035592.post-61259030606457459362008-07-13T23:00:00.000-04:002008-07-13T23:00:00.000-04:00When Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y, held up a loaf of light wheat Pepperidge Farm bread at a hearing on Capitol Hill Thursday and said his family is spending $40 more per week on groceries this year than it did last year, he admitted that they can afford it. But many Americans cannot. <BR/><BR/>Should farmers still collect billions of dollars in government subsidies?<BR/><BR/>More Photos"We buy this light wheat bread, like this loaf here," he said. "We're paying almost four dollars." <BR/><BR/>That figure is up from about three dollars a year ago. But Congress heard very few easy answers for what has caused that dollar increase in bread prices, and no agreement on what should be done about it. <BR/><BR/><BR/>Food Prices on the Rise<BR/>Rising food prices are causing unrest in developing nations and making life difficult for low-income Americans. But while the effects of the prices are evident, the causes are not. <BR/><BR/>Lawmakers heard from a baker who said the cost of his wheat has more than tripled in the past year, leading to pricier bread and layoffs at his bakery.Dr. Baugushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03051515116594443127noreply@blogger.com