Food stamp 'workfare' OK'd by Senate panel

Major changes in the food stamp program intended to force able-bodied recipients to work or give up stamps have the approval of the Senate Agriculture Committee.

The work provisions contain two key sections. One would force recipients off food stamp rolls after seven months unless they found a job. In addition, the committee agreed that ''workfare,'' a program in which able-bodied adults work out the value of their stamps in public-service jobs should be mandatory nation-wide.