HOPKINS COUNTY, KY (2/16/12)—According to data released by Kentucky Farm Bureau, US consumers use a comparatively meager 10% of their disposable annual income on food-related purchases. In sharp contrast, other countries may spend up to 38% of their disposable income on purchasing food, leaving fewer dollars for savings.
Amazingly enough, these same statistics indicate that, in term of calendar days, the average American earns enough income to pay for his entire year’s supply of food in just seven weeks. On the flip side, the same American must work more than three months to cover the costs of annual taxes.
In addition to employing approximately 24 million people across the nation, US agriculture exports generate more than $100 billion in business each year. What’s more, almost 90% of all US farms are operated by families or individuals.
And it’s in hope of spreading these interesting facts to the public, explaining the bond between a community and the ag industry, and in honor of ‘Food Check-Out Week’ that students from two local high schools will be partnering with Hopkins County Farm Bureau.
Along with posters created by Hopkins County Central High School’s Art Department, the multi-location event will also offer in-store visits and informative handouts from students at Madisonville North-Hopkins High School’s Ag Department. At this time, both Kroger and Sureway grocery stores have agreed to participate in the informative experience.
Shannon Brumfield, a newly appointed Federation Secretary for Hopkins County Farm Bureau’s Board of Directors, said the event will take place on February 21st, 22nd, and 23rd from 3-6pm.
When asked what to expect during the event, as well as what the overall goal of the project would be, Brumfield replied that, “The farm community feels like there is a disconnection between people who don’t have knowledge about ‘ag’ and people who are actually employed by the agricultural world. So, we feel that it’s important for people to understand the relationship between what’s on their table and where it’s grown. From there, the local farmer connection is made. Every day, I hear people saying that they want to eat locally and they want to eat fresh, and ‘Food Check-Out Week’ brings more attention to local foods, local farmers, where our food comes from, and more.”
So, if you need to pick-up some groceries and would like to learn more about our local agricultural community, or would simply like to support our local youth, please check out ‘Food Check-Out Week.’
Luke Short
SurfKY News
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