January 19, 2001

Food Check-Out Day
notes food affordability

Speakers at various Farm Bureau conferences, Extension workshops, and ag industry meetings draw rousing applause with the line, "America has the safest, most abundant food supply at the most affordable price of any nation in the world." Sure has a nice ring to it, but in those settings, the speaker is ostensibly preaching to the choir. Wouldn't it be nice to reach the consuming public with that message? Farm Bureau's annual Food Check-Out Day campaign, which celebrates the bounty from America's farms and ranches, and how that bounty is shared with American consumers through affordable food prices, is designed to do just that.

According to the latest statistics provided by the Agriculture Department, the average American devotes only 10.4 percent of his or her disposable personal income to pay for food. When applied to calendar days, the average American will have earned enough income to pay for his or her family's annual food supply in just 38 days.

Thus, Food Check-Out Day is slated for Wednesday, Feb. 7 this year.

When you consider that Americans had to work until May 3 last year just to pay for their taxes, you realize what a great bargain food really is. Although Food Check-Out Day's core message is the affordability of food due to the productivity of America's farmers and ranchers, the event also provides opportunities to present food safety information and to share the farmers' perspective on the environment, biotechnology, pesticide use, and other important issues.

An official national commemoration of Food Check-Out Day was first attempted in 1997, when the date was Feb. 10. The effort conducted in 1997 was a test run of sorts, to gauge interest, not only of the news media, but Farm Bureau volunteers as well. Results from the initial effort were extremely positive—so positive in fact, that it was decided to formulate a comprehensive campaign for 2001.

In 1999, several County Farm Bureaus made a big effort to promote Food Check-Out Day. In 2001, we think Food Check-Out Day can be a major purpose activity for all county Farm Bureaus. This project could be carried out by selected committees, including the Young Farmers and Ranchers, and individual volunteers.

Typically on that day, participating county Farm Bureaus cooperate with local grocery stores to collect food items for Ronald McDonald House—a "home-away-from-home" for families of seriously ill children receiving medical treatment at a nearby hospital—and other food charities; man in-store displays; use stickers and banners to educate consumers about agriculture; and make food purchases for several shoppers. Others promote Food Check-Out Day by writing guest editorials for local newspapers, seizing public speaking opportunities at local Rotary and Lions Clubs or Chambers of Commerce, and arranging television and radio interviews to tell the Food Check-Out Day story. Some work with their mayor, or other elected officials, to secure an official proclamation for Food Check-Out Day at the local level. Still, others work with local food-processing facilities to host tours for local officials or school students, or visit classrooms and hand out Ag in the Classroom materials. Running ads in local newspapers commemorating Food Check-Out Day is another way county Farm Bureaus spread the message.

Food Check-Out Day works. We have seen the evidence, as photos and news items poured in from county Farm Bureaus last year touting local campaigns. Don't miss out on the festivities this year. It isn't enough that we in the industry know America's farmers and ranchers provide us with the most abundant, safest and most affordable food supply of any nation in the world. We can't let up until that message rings true with every American.