Beech Tree News Network

Morgantown, KY – The cost of food in America remains affordable.  According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service, American consumers spend, on average, just over 10 percent of their disposable income for food.  That means the average household will have earned enough disposable income – that portion of income available for spending or saving – to pay for its annual food supply in about seven weeks, said Kentucky Farm Bureau president Mark Haney.

“America’s food supply is the most affordable as well as the safest in the world,” Haney said.  “Domestic foods that are produced by farmers in Kentucky and throughout the United States are responsible, in part, for our nation’s increased standard of living.”

In recognition of this, Butler County Farm Bureau is celebrating February 19-25th, 2017 as Food Check-Out Week.

To mark the occasion, Butler County Farm Bureau Federation is giving away two $50 gift cards to local grocery stores per Facebook.  Another $50 gift card will be given away to members that register in our office.

Long after Food Check-Out Week, Americans are required to continue earning income for other necessities.  The Tax Foundation has reported that Americans must work over 100 days to pay their federal taxes.

“We work much longer to pay for federal taxes than for food,” Haney said.

USDA, Economic Research Service, 2014 said "24 million people nationwide are employeed by agriculture and food industries. Today's farmer grows enough food and fiber to feed 155 people. 97% of U.S. farms are operated by families or individuals. U.S. ag exports generate more than $100 billion annually. Farmers and ranchers recieve only 16 cents out of every dollar spent on food at home and away from home. The rest goes for costs beyond the farm gate: wages and materials for production, processing, marketing, transportation, and distribution. In 1980, farmers and ranchers recieved 31 cents."