Less Time Needed to Pay the Food Bill

February 6, 2001

The American Farm Bureau Federation says it now takes the average consumer until Feb. 7 to earn enough money to pay for a full year of food. That's two days earlier than last year. The AFBF used USDA statistics to calculate the time needed.

"A few years ago the Farm Bureau became curious about just how long people have to work to pay for their food," says Tom Steever, a broadcast services producer for the AFBF.. "The thought occurred to the farm organization partly in response to the yearly reminders from the Tax Foundation. The foundation's Tax Freedom Day is that point on the calendar when average Americans have earned enough to pay their local, state and federal taxes for the year. As you might guess, Tax Freedom Day is moving further from the beginning of the year. Last year it was May 3."

Knowing how long it takes to earn a year's supply food is important "because it shows how efficient our farmers are," said Terry Gilbert of Danville, KY, chair of the American Farm Bureau Women's Committee, which is sponsoring an event to commemorate "Food Check-Out Day." She contrasted the bargain of food with the annual payment of taxes. "I think the average Joe should probably look at the time that it takes to pay his taxes for the year. He has to work up until May to pay his taxes, but he only has to work until Feb. 7 to pay for his food for his family for the whole year," she said.

To help illustrate food's affordability, the AFBF Women's Committee buys groceries and donates them to the Ronald McDonald House. After a half-day shopping trip, committee members present the groceries directly to the food pantry of the charity which provides housing to families of seriously ill children. There are Ronald McDonald House locations all over the world to serve families in need. This year's American Farm Bureau Food Check-Out Day is in Philadelphia at the site of the first Ronald McDonald House. The scene will be repeated by many state Farm Bureaus in several Ronald McDonald House locations across the country.