FOOD CHECKOUT WEEK SET

Thirty-six days.

That's how long the average American has to work in order to afford a year's supply of food, according to the latest data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Economic Research Service.

And that's exactly what farmers across the Lone Star State will be gathering to celebrate this year during the annual Food Check-Out Week activities, planned Feb. 3-9.

That 36th day of the year falls on Wednesday, Feb. 6, and according to the USDA, earning up to then accounts for just 9.9 percent of the average American's personal disposable income.

"That's a drop in the bucket when you consider the rising cost of everything else the average family faces today," said Texas Farm Bureau President Kenneth Dierschke.

Americans will have to work 77 days to pay their federal taxes, 62 days to pay for housing and household operation, and 52 days for health/medical care, Dierschke said.

A year's worth of food in the United States even rings in cheaper than what folks put in their gas tanks.

A recent Oil Price Information Services (OPIS) study found that fuel costs now account for as much as 13 percent of the average disposable income.

"That's a true testament to ingenuity and efficiency of our farmers and ranchers all across this country," Dierschke said. "Thanks to their innovations, everyone in America can enjoy the best possible foods at the lowest costs in the world."

The same can't be said for other countries.

Shoppers in Japan pay 14 percent of their incomes for food, and the price just soars as you make your way across the globe: Israel, 20 percent; China, 26 percent; Philippines, 38 percent; and Indonesia, 55 percent.

"This week should hold meaning for most Americans," Dierschke said. "We are concerned that some Americans cannot afford to buy the food they need. We hope to address some of that need with our Food Check-Out Week activities."

Today's Farmer and Farm Family

There are 2.13 million farms dotting America's rural landscape. About 99 percent of U.S. farms are operated by individuals, family partnerships or family corporations.

And American agriculture provides jobs - including productions agriculture, farm imputs, procession and marketing, along with retail and wholesale sales - for 15 percent of the U.S. population.

Farmers and ranchers receive only 22 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 received 31 cents.

Joe Parsley, president of Cherokee County Farm Bureau states, "Food in America is safe, abundant and affordable, thanks in large part to America's productive farmers and ranchers. Food Check-Out Week is a celebration of the bounty from America's farms and ranches and how that bounty is shared with American consumers through affordable food prices."

Cherokee County Farm Bureau is recognizing the event with the following quiz for everyone to fill out.

Once completed bring it to the Farm Bureau office in Rusk on Feb. 5 or the Jacksonville office on Feb. 7 to be entered into a drawing for a gift card to Brookshire Brothers grocery store.

Organizers ask participants to bring quizzes on the days mentioned to eligible.

1. Percentage Americans spend of their income on food for the year?

2. How many days does the average American have to work to afford a year's food supply?

3. How much does the farmer and ranch receive out of each dollar spent on food?

4. What is the percentage of farms and ranches are owned by individuals or families?