Bush wants to cut food box program

SAN FRANCISCO, March 13 (UPI) -- U.S. President George Bush is trying for a second time to eliminate the Commodity Supplemental Food Program.

The San Francisco Chronicle said the program, which costs $106 million, provides food boxes to about 500,000 seniors, pregnant women and mothers with children in 32 states and Washington.

Congress refused to cut the program last year, the newspaper said.

USDA spokeswoman Jean Daniel said the president supports shifting people on the program to food stamps or other nationwide programs. She said the president's proposal includes money for states to publicize the changes and help people transition to other programs.