Farm Bureau helping the hungry during Food Check-Out Week

Farmers, ranchers and rural Texans will have a chance to lend a hand to help feed the hungry during the week of Feb. 21-27 when Texas Farm Bureau holds its annual Food Check-Out Week activities.

For years now, county Farm Bureaus across Texas have hosted a number of activities to raise awareness of what food actually costs in relation to other items people must purchase. Counties would frequently make donations to local food pantries and charities, hold Farmers’ Share breakfasts and bag lunches for cents on the dollar and even give away groceries to a few lucky shoppers.

"Food remains one of the most affordable items Americans can buy," said Texas Farm Bureau President Kenneth Dierschke, a cotton and grain farmer from San Angelo. "It takes about five weeks for the average American to earn enough to pay for an entire year’s worth of food."

Of course, the last year has been anything but average for many Americans. Unemployment hit new highs. Earnings are down almost across the board.

And no one knows more about these tough financial times than the organizations in our own communities that work each day to make sure hungry families stay fed.

Those resources are stretched thin, and Dierschke says Texas farmers and ranchers are doing their part.

"Even when our economy is feeling pressure, our farmers and ranchers have made it possible for all Americans to stretch their grocery dollars and still afford healthy, nutritious food," Dierschke said. "While costs on most everything we need have risen, our food is still the most affordable anywhere in the world."

That’s no small feat, Dierschke said, and it is because of the dedication of the many farmers and ranchers all across the country, along with agribusiness and research support system.

That’s where so many community pantries find themselves in need, especially in rural areas.

"We’ve built relationships with these organizations through the years to help them feed the less fortunate, and this year will be no exception,"

Dierschke said. "We’re proud of the role we farmers and ranchers play in producing the most affordable food in the world, so we use this time each year to make sure as many as possible can actually enjoy it.

"As a farmer, I am producing affordable food for my family and yours,"

Dierschke said. "I am proud of what we do and hope Americans will join us in celebration of our agricultural success."

Food Check-Out Week activities vary from county to county across Texas.

If you would like to find out what events are taking place in your community, contact your county’s Farm Bureau office or watch for event announcements in your local newspaper.