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Farm Bureau celebrates Food Check-Out Week
The Bourbon County Farm Bureau, a farm advocacy group, and members of Farm Bureaus nationwide are celebrating Food Check-Out Week through Saturday.
The purpose of Food Check-Out Week, sponsored by the national Farm Bureau organization, is to recognize that the average household will have earned enough disposable income to pay for its annual food supply in about 36 days, according to the Kansas Farm Bureau.
"Compared to food, Americans work longer each year to pay for their medical care, housing and federal taxes," Bourbon County Farm Bureau President Joe Ludlum said.
According to the Tax Foundation, Americans must work 52 days each year to pay for health and medical care, 62 days to pay for housing and household operations, and 77 days to pay their federal taxes.
As part of the local observance of Food Check-Out Week, the Bourbon County Farm Bureau donated $150 to The Beacon to help the food pantry and community assistance agency purchase food for distribution to local families in need.
"We'll put it in our budget for food," The Beacon Director Bob Eckles said.
Bourbon County Farm Bureau Women's Chairman Lynda Foster said the nationwide observance was once limited to only a single day called Food Check-Out Day.
Part of the Farm Bureau's focus this year in on helping Americans learn how to stretch their grocery dollars with healthy, nutritious food. America's farmers and ranchers are committed to producing safe, healthy and abundant food. And they share a common concern with consumers when it comes to putting nutritious meals on the table while sticking to a tight budget, a news release said.
Officials said the good news is that a recent U.S. Department of Agriculture report favorably supports the economics of healthier eating. Recent food price data shows that prices for unprepared, readily available fresh fruits and vegetables have remained stable relative to dessert and snack foods such as chips, ice cream and soda.
Therefore, as defined by foods in the study, the price of a "healthier" diet has not changed compared to an "unhealthy" diet, the release said.
Farm Bureau has developed Food Check-Out Week educational materials dedicated to helping consumers make healthier food purchases. Information on several topics, including "Tips for Better Nutrition on a Tight Budget," "How Much Should I Eat?," "Understanding Food Labels," and "Understanding What MyPyramid Means," is available. Pamphlets on these topics are free to the public and may be picked up at the Bourbon County Farm Bureau office, 113 S. National Ave.
Now in its 13th year, Food Check-Out Week continues to highlight America's safe, abundant and affordable food supply, made possible largely by America's productive farmers and ranchers, the release said.