January 18, 2007

Virginia farmers will celebrate Food Freedom Day Feb. 6

RICHMOND—By the beginning of February, the average American will have earned enough money to pay for his or her food for the entire year. Because the cost of food remains so low, Virginia Farm Bureau is celebrating Feb. 6 as USA Food Freedom Day.

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 charitable donation effort.

“Not only is America’s food supply the world’s safest, but it’s also the most affordable,” said Janice Burton, chairman of the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation Women’s Committee. “Our nation’s standard of living would certainly be diminished without the safe, abundant and affordable domestic food supply produced by America’s farmers and ranchers.”

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, American families currently spend on average 10 percent of their disposable income on food. The percent of disposable personal income spent for food has declined over the past 34 years. USDA also reports that food is more affordable today due to a widening gap between growth in per-capita incomes and the amount of money spent for food. That overall decrease is made more notable by the fact that Americans are buying more expensive convenience food items for preparation at home, as well as more food away from home

By comparison, the average American earns enough income to pay federal, state and local taxes for the year after 100 days.

Contact Kelly Pruitt, VFBF special projects coordinator, at 804-290-1134.