American family affords annual food supply by Feb. 5, 2004

» February 2, 2004 «

According to the U.S. Agriculture Department, American consumers will have earned enough income between Jan. 1 and Feb. 5 to pay for an entire family's annual food supply in just 36 days.

As a result, the California Farm Bureau Federation has proclaimed Feb. 5 as this year's Food Check-Out Day.

"California's farmers and ranchers provide a reliable supply of food and fiber through responsible stewardship of our natural resources," said CFBF President Bill Pauli. "Farm Bureau members work hard to produce food and fiber that is both safe and affordable."

Last year, the average American worked until April 27 - nearly three additional months - to pay taxes.

Food Check-Out Day was created to help celebrate the bounty of the food and fiber coming from America's farms and ranches. California's farmers and ranchers are some of the most productive in the world.

The U.S. Agriculture Department also reports that American families and individuals currently spend, on average, just 10 percent of their disposable personal income for food. The percentage of disposable income spent for food has declined during the past 35 years. In 1970, Food Check-Out Day would have been 15 days later.

"We're very proud of our important contribution to society," Pauli said. "We hope consumers will take a minute on Feb. 5 to realize that their safe and affordable food comes from a farm or ranch prior to sale by a local grocer."

More than 24 million American workers (17 percent of the total U.S. workforce) produce, process and sell the nation's food and fiber. Farmers and ranchers receive just 19 cents out of every dollar spent on food at home and away from home.

According to the California Department of Food and Agriculture, California agriculture is a $27.5 billion dollar enterprise that produces 250 crop and livestock commodities. This abundance generates an estimated $100 billion in related economic activity.

The department also reports that California has some of the most agriculturally productive counties in the nation. Of the top 10 agricultural producing counties nationwide, eight are located in California. California also is the nation's leader in agricultural exports, annually shipping more than $6.5 billion in both food and agricultural commodities around the world.

The California Farm Bureau represents more than 90,000 members statewide.

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

Permission for use is granted, however, credit must be made to the California Farm Bureau Federation when reprinting this item.