February 2022
Farm Bureau volunteers statewide celebrated Food Check-Out Week, Feb. 14-18. The celebrations spotlighted the healthy, nutritious food supply that farmers and ranchers provide throughout the year.
The U.S Department of Agriculture reports that for the 2019 calendar year, just 8-cents of every consumer food dollar is attributable to farm production. The rest is for food processing, packaging, transportation, wholesale and retail distribution, food service preparation and other marketing cost.
As consumers look for the best nutritional value of their dollar, Florida farmers and ranchers continue to grow fresh fruits and vegetables despite COVID-related market disruptions. Food Check-Out Week gave county Farm Bureaus an opportunity to connect to consumers and celebrate the productivity of Florida farm families.
Sample events included proclamation signings with local government officials, educational displays at local grocery stores, food giveaways, collections for food banks, food drives and donations to local charities, such as Ronald McDonald House.
Food Check-Out Week is just one outreach example of how county Farm Bureau volunteers engage with consumers to bring awareness to the affordable, fresh and nutritious food supply available to Floridians year-round.
Florida Farm Bureau, the state’s largest general agricultural organization, represents more than 134,000 member-families. We serve to enhance farm enterprise and improve rural communities.
Photo caption: Seminole County Farm Bureau members donated more than 300 lbs. of cabbage and other fresh vegetables to Hope’s Food Pantry in Oviedo on Feb.11. For more photos from Food Check-Out Weeks statewide, visit https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjzCRJy.
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