Coalition seeks cut in ethanol production

A coalition of groups including grocers, restaurateurs, beverage dealers and unions is asking Congress to change its policy encouraging the production of ethanol because it has helped cause corn prices to double ? increasing the cost of food.

“Food prices are rising at twice the rate of inflation,” said Scott Faber, vice president of the national Food and Beverage Association. Higher food prices compound the other economic problems. Bad weather, commodity speculation and export restrictions in other countries have contributed to the spike in food prices, but U.S. food-to-fuel policies have played a significant part, Faber said.