We go to the grocery store and we assume the shelves will be fully stocked, the freezers overflowing with choices of food.

Increases in the cost of some of our favorite foods recently have revealed just how vulnerable we are to changes in the food supply.

A sensible farm policy is essential to ensure that food is available and affordable for all Americans. Congress moved closer last week to passing a farm bill, but issues still need to be hammered out and President Bush has threatened a veto if payments to producers are not reasonably limited.

This legislation is serious enough that it deserves the time to do it right, but we expect Congress to reach a solution as soon as possible.

Rising prices have drawn attention to the food aid portions of the farm bill. The lobbyist for America’s Second Harvest warned this week that an epidemic level of hunger was looming if legislation is not passed.

Food stamps and other aid programs make up an increasing amount of the farm bill’s $300 billion tab. Programs that provide food directly to needy families are some of the most effective ways of addressing poverty in the United States.

As important as food assistance is, the programs address only the problem. The farm bill’s key purpose is to address the solution to hunger by assisting farmers.

Here in the heart of America’s breadbasket, we know that strong family farms are the nation’s backbone — not only to grow food, but to build strong communities.

Farm income has increased in recent years, due to higher commodity prices for grain and livestock. Agriculture producers are enjoying a hard-earned return for their money. By its very nature, the agriculture industry is cyclical. Prices are certain to come down and probably sooner rather than later.

A reasonable farm policy must be in place to help these families through the lean times so they will be on the farm next year, growing the food that feeds people around the world.

If our friends and neighbors in rural Missouri and Kansas are forced out of business, more agriculture production will be controlled by corporations. With increasing consolidation, the food supply will become more tightly controlled by fewer people, making it more susceptible to price changes and serious disruptions in supply.

A strong farm bill with reasonable payments benefits taxpayers, farmers, rural communities and those who eat food. It looks like that includes everyone.