Bush says food prices high because of energy

ST. LOUIS (Reuters) - Food prices have been rising as a result of soaring energy prices but the use of corn-based ethanol is not the main driver behind rising prices at the supermarket, U.S. President George W. Bush said on Friday.

"The reason why food prices are high now is because, one, energy costs are high and if you're a farmer you're going to pass on your costs of energy in the products you sell otherwise you go broke," Bush said in response to a question after a speech to employees at a technology company.

(Reporting by Thomas Ferraro, writing by Jeremy Pelofsky)