Food Check-Out Week

Farmer and rancher members of many county Farm Bureaus will reach out to consumers in their communities with information and cost-saving tips on putting nutritious meals on the table.

“Stretching Your Grocery Dollar With Healthy, Nutritious Food,” the official theme of Farm Bureau’s Food Check-Out Week, reflects the fact that Americans from all walks of life continue to experience an economic squeeze. Dining out less often and preparing more meals at home is typical for growing numbers of Americans.

“As today’s tough economic times continue, public health experts remain concerned that consumers may resort to buying less-nutritious foods that lack essential vitamins, minerals, fiber and other nutrients,” said Terry Gilbert, a Kentucky farmer and chair of the AFB Women’s Leadership Committee.

“During this week, we are focusing on providing consumers with information on stretching their grocery dollars with healthy, nutritious food. Tips for better nutrition on a stretched budget, making sense of food labels and understanding USDA’s MyPyramid are among the topics Farm Bureau members will be talking about with consumers, at supermarket demonstration stations and other venues,” said Gilbert.

“America’s farmers and ranchers are committed to producing safe, healthy food, but do share with consumers the same issues of putting nutritious meals on the table while sticking to a tight budget.”

A number of studies have shown that rising energy costs for processing, packaging and transportation were the driving forces behind increased retail food prices over the past few years, Gilbert noted. However, retail food prices have actually decreased compared to last year.

Participating county Farm Bureaus in Florida will hold events throughout Food Check-Out Week. Duval County Farm Bureau is hosting their event at a supermarket in Jacksonville on Thursday. Also, Marion County Farm Bureau has a booth set up in the AgVenture tent at the Southeastern Youth Livestock Show in Ocala.

New this year, AFBF and the Soybean Checkoff launched a joint Facebook fan page to promote Food Check-Out Week. AFBF will donate $1 to the Galveston (Texas) Ronald McDonald House for every person who becomes a fan of the page by the end of February, up to $5,000. The house sustained major structural damage during Hurricane Ike. People may become a fan of the page by visiting: www.facebook.com/NationalFoodCheckoutWeek

The third week of February was selected for Food Check-Out Week as a bridge to National Nutrition Month in March.