California Farm Bureau's Young Farmers & Ranchers help families of children with cancer

» February 5, 2004 «

Young farmers and ranchers from Northern California delivered food to help families of children with cancer and other serious illnesses staying at the Sacramento Ronald McDonald House today to celebrate Food Check-Out Day 2004.

The California Farm Bureau's Young Farmers and Ranchers Committee (YF&R) designated Thursday, Feb. 5, as Food Check-Out Day because it signifies when the average American has earned enough income to pay for their family's entire 2004 food bill - just 36 days this year.

"The YF&R program actively promotes Food Check-Out day to help raise awareness of the productivity of California agriculture and the affordability of food," said Jamie Johansson, an Oroville farmer and chairman of the California YF&R state committee. "We are pleased to share our bounty with families of children who have cancer and other serious illnesses. Our partnership with the Sacramento Ronald McDonald House signifies our commitment to help those in need in our community."

Johansson joined other Farm Bureau members in presenting boxes of food to families of children with cancer staying at the Sacramento Ronald McDonald House. The House is a "home away from home" for families of children undergoing treatment for cancer and other life-threatening illnesses at Shriner's Hospital for Children, UC Davis Medical Center and surrounding medical facilities.

"We appreciate food donations all year long because our facility serves families who are financially burdened already. We're grateful for the productivity of California's farmers and ranchers, and the generosity of YF&R members to help our families," said Catherine Ithurburn, executive director, Sacramento Ronald McDonald House. "We often have toy drives during the holidays, but food donations like this one are so important to the successful operation of our facility."

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Economic Research Service reports American families and individuals spend, on average, 10.6 percent of their disposable personal income for food. California households will have earned enough disposable income - that portion of income available for spending or saving - to pay for the annual food supply by Thursday, Feb. 5.

Farmer productivity is one reason food costs are relatively low. California farmers and ranchers produced $26.7 billion in total agricultural value in 2002. One California farmer provides enough food for 135 people, according to Johansson. He said the farmer's share of each dollar spent for food at the retail level is about 20 cents. The rest pays for wages and materials for processing, marketing, transportation and distribution.

The Sacramento Ronald McDonald House has provided support, comfort and hope to thousands of families from Northern California since 1998. The Sacramento Ronald McDonald House is a division of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northern California (RMHCNC). RMHCNC helps promote the health and well being of children and their families by providing access to social, medical and educational resources.

Contact: Dave Kranz
Phone: 916/561-5550
news@cfbf.com

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