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With the country’s current economic status, family food budgets are increasingly feeling the strain of fewer dollars to spend on items that seem to just keep getting pricier. People are concerned that they can’t afford healthy diets. Under the theme "Stretching Your Food Dollar with Healthy, Nutritious Food," this year’s Food Check-Out Week, Feb. 15-21, aims to show that by shopping wisely, Americans can put nutritious meals on their tables while also sticking to a tight budget.
"People can actually eat healthy, farm-fresh, nutritious foods and spend fewer dollars than they would on less healthy alternatives," said Betty Finkenbinder, office assistant/promotion and education for West Polk County Farm Bureau. "We have some tips on how they can do so."
These include:
- Knowing your food budget, planning balanced meals, making a list and shopping at competitively priced grocery stores with high-quality produce are just a few strategies to achieve better nutrition with less money.
- Tips for smart food shopping include stick to your list, read food labels and don’t buy unless it will be eaten. Take time to compare prices for different brands and sizes by using cost-per-unit shelf stickers.
- A healthy diet includes a variety of vegetables and fruits, whole grains, low-fat or fat free dairy products, lean meats, fish, beans, eggs and nuts within the daily calorie needs.
West Polk FB commemorated Food Check-Out Day Wednesday, as it has for several years, with displays at Hugo’s stores in Crookston and East Grand Forks. A shopping cart filled with non-perishable food items greeted shoppers as they entered each store, and they took guesses at what the bill came to. Paul Dragseth, secretary/treasurer of the local board, manned Crookston’s display, while President Ron Salentine and Director Duane Finkenbinder were in East Grand Forks.
The person who came closest in estimating the value of the groceries at each store won a $100 Hugo’s gift card, courtesy of the West Polk chapter. Kenny Hviding won in Crookston, guessing $164.83, only 17 cents short of the cart’s value, $165. The East Grand Forks winner was Cheryl J. Pitts, who guessed $139, with the items totaling $140.05. The organization also purchased and donated the food items to local food shelves.
Farm facts
Now in its 11th year, Food Check-Out Week highlights America’s safe, abundant and affordable food supply, made possible largely by America’s productive farmers and ranchers. American families and individuals spend, on average, less than 10 percent of their disposable personal income for food, according to research by the USDA. Other countries spend a much larger percentage on food: France, 14 percent; Japan, 15 percent; China, 35 percent; Philippines, 37 percent and Indonesia, 46 percent.
With the country’s current economic status, family food budgets are increasingly feeling the strain of fewer dollars to spend on items that seem to just keep getting pricier. People are concerned that they can’t afford healthy diets. Under the theme "Stretching Your Food Dollar with Healthy, Nutritious Food," this year’s Food Check-Out Week, Feb. 15-21, aims to show that by shopping wisely, Americans can put nutritious meals on their tables while also sticking to a tight budget.
"People can actually eat healthy, farm-fresh, nutritious foods and spend fewer dollars than they would on less healthy alternatives," said Betty Finkenbinder, office assistant/promotion and education for West Polk County Farm Bureau. "We have some tips on how they can do so."
These include:
- Knowing your food budget, planning balanced meals, making a list and shopping at competitively priced grocery stores with high-quality produce are just a few strategies to achieve better nutrition with less money.
- Tips for smart food shopping include stick to your list, read food labels and don’t buy unless it will be eaten. Take time to compare prices for different brands and sizes by using cost-per-unit shelf stickers.
- A healthy diet includes a variety of vegetables and fruits, whole grains, low-fat or fat free dairy products, lean meats, fish, beans, eggs and nuts within the daily calorie needs.
West Polk FB commemorated Food Check-Out Day Wednesday, as it has for several years, with displays at Hugo’s stores in Crookston and East Grand Forks. A shopping cart filled with non-perishable food items greeted shoppers as they entered each store, and they took guesses at what the bill came to. Paul Dragseth, secretary/treasurer of the local board, manned Crookston’s display, while President Ron Salentine and Director Duane Finkenbinder were in East Grand Forks.
The person who came closest in estimating the value of the groceries at each store won a $100 Hugo’s gift card, courtesy of the West Polk chapter. Kenny Hviding won in Crookston, guessing $164.83, only 17 cents short of the cart’s value, $165. The East Grand Forks winner was Cheryl J. Pitts, who guessed $139, with the items totaling $140.05. The organization also purchased and donated the food items to local food shelves.
Farm facts
Now in its 11th year, Food Check-Out Week highlights America’s safe, abundant and affordable food supply, made possible largely by America’s productive farmers and ranchers. American families and individuals spend, on average, less than 10 percent of their disposable personal income for food, according to research by the USDA. Other countries spend a much larger percentage on food: France, 14 percent; Japan, 15 percent; China, 35 percent; Philippines, 37 percent and Indonesia, 46 percent.
A Minnesota Farm Bureau press release also says the cost of eating healthy hasn’t changed as much as less-healthy alternatives. Recent food price data show that prices for unprepared, readily available fresh fruits and vegetables have remained stable relative to dessert and snack foods like chips, ice cream and soda.
For more information on Food Check-Out Week, visit www.fb.org.
Minnesota Farm Bureau is comprised of 78 local Farm Bureaus across Minnesota. Members make their views known to political leaders, state government officials, special interest groups and the general public. Programs for young farmers and ranchers develop leadership skills and improve farm management. Promotion and Education Committee members work with programs such as Ag in the Classroom and safety education for children. For more information, visit www.fbmn.org.
