[img_assist|nid=224|title=U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern (D-Worcester) and Greater Boston Food Bank President Catherine D'Amato|desc=Politicker Photo|link=none|align=left|width=400|height=317]

BOSTON -- U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern (D-Worcester) joined leaders of local food and retail industries Wednesday to launch a new coalition dedicated to highlighting the effects of using large amounts of the United States' corn resources for biofuels instead of for the country's food supply.

The coalition, named "Food before Fuel," hopes to fight recent congressional mandates that require nine billion gallons of biofuel to be blended into the fuel supply in 2008. That nine billion gallons, the coalition says, is composed of one third the United States' corn supply and is causing food prices around the world to rise.

"Food prices are soaring," McGovern said before a crowd of about 25 on the steps in front of the statehouse. "Here in Massachusetts and around the world, families are being hit hard by these rising costs. Rising food prices disproportionately affect the poor, particularly the poor in the developing worlds ... Hunger is increasing here in this country and hunger is increasing around the world. People are slipping through the cracks."

McGovern acknowledged that there are several factors contributing to the rise in food prices, such as the rising cost of energy and oil. But the impact of biofuels, he said, can't be ignored. "A growing reliance on food based biofuels is contributing to the problem," he said. "The overwhelming majority of those biofuels is food based and I believe we need to rethink some of those mandates."

"It is no secret that without fuel we couldn't grow, transport or consume most of our food products," McGovern said. "But without enough food, without the ability to maintain basic sustenance, health and well-being deteriorates."

The strain ethanol is placing on the U.S. corn supply is also affecting small businesses, livestock and poultry farmers, restaurants, schools and the environment, the coalition's platform states.

More than anything else, though, it is placing a strain on individual consumers, said Catherine D'Amato, president and CEO of the Greater Boston Food Bank.

"In Massachusetts, one out of every 14 individuals seeks their food from a soup kitchen or shelter; in America, it's one out of 10," D'Amato said. "And the role of food and fuel is what we call the perfect storm. It is unlike anything we've ever seen before in terms of the increased cost of to the manufacturers, to the retailers, to the wholesalers and growers, to the deliverers of that food, and then to the families who are struggling now to make ends meet."

Forty-five percent of the 700,000 families the Greater Boston Food Bank serves already trade their food money for fuel, D'Amato said.

Massachusetts, McGovern said, should lead the way in developing new biofuels. "Here in Massachusetts," he said. "We have the opportunity to be a leader in developing advanced biofuels that do not pit our energy needs against our food needs."