January 13, 2005

Farm Bureau will celebrate Food Freedom Day Feb. 7

RICHMOND—By mid-February, the average American will have earned enough money to pay his or her food bill for the entire year. Because U.S. consumers spend considerably less for food than people in other developed countries, Virginia Farm Bureau will celebrate Feb. 7 as USA Food Freedom Day.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, American families currently spend on average 10 percent of their disposable income on food. This percentage has declined during the past 35 years. In 1970, USA Food Freedom Day would have been 15 days later.

Previously recognized as Food Check-Out Day, the date is observed nationwide each year by state and local Farm Bureaus. Across Virginia, county Farm Bureau women’s committees mark the event by taking part in some type of food donation effort. This year, Farm Bureau women will collect nonperishable food items and monetary donations for the Roanoke and Norfolk Ronald McDonald House charities.

Ronald McDonald Houses offer services for families of children who are hospitalized with a serious illness, including lodging for families whose children have to receive treatment far from home.

“USA Food Freedom Day reminds us that we as a nation are very blessed to have such a safe and affordable food supply,” said Janice Burton, chairman of the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation Women’s Committee.

By comparison, the average American earns enough income to pay federal, state and local taxes for the year at least a month later than Food Freedom Day. Tax Freedom Day was celebrated on April 11 in 2004, the earliest it had occurred in 37 years, according to the Washington-based Tax Foundation.

Contact Dough Stoughton, director, VFBF Women’s and Young Farmer Department, 804-290-1034.