A press release from the Minnesota Farm Bureau:

Wright County Farm Bureau commemorated Food Check-Out Week on Wednesday, February 3 at Cub Foods in Buffalo. The event featured a shopping spree by state legislators Sen. Amy Koch, Rep. Bruce Anderson, Rep. Tom Emmer and Rep. Dean Urdahl. They were given just two minutes to fill their grocery cart with non-perishable food that would be donated to local food shelves.

Farm Bureau’s Food Check-Out Week, February 21-27, is devoted to helping teach Americans how to stretch their grocery dollars with healthy, nutritious food. America’s farmers and ranchers are committed to producing safe, healthy and abundant food. They share a common concern with consumers when it comes to putting nutritious meals on the table while sticking to a tight budget.

“Farmers and ranchers throughout our state are committed to producing safe, abundant and healthy food,” said Dan Glessing, Wright County Farm Bureau President and dairy producer. “As Farm Bureau members, we are dedicated to helping those less fortunate than we are.”

To mark the occasion, Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation (MFBF) Promotion and Education (P&E) Committee donated $500 to be used for food to the Ronald McDonald Houses of the Twin Cities. The Ronald McDonald House provides a “home-away-from-home” for the families of seriously ill children receiving medical treatment in these areas. The food will be used to help feed visiting families staying at the houses.

The event raised over $600 worth of food for the food shelves of Rockford, Buffalo and Wright County Community Action. Cub Foods also donated $175 to each food shelf.

“Farm Bureau’s Food Check-Out Week is aimed at helping American consumers learn how to shop effectively to put nutritious meals on the table with fewer dollars,” said Joan Lee, MFBF P&E Committee Chair and dairy producer form McIntosh. “Learning to use your grocery dollars wisely ensures that nutrition isn’t neglected.”

Now in its twelfth year, Food Check-Out Week also highlights America’s safe, abundant and affordable food supply, made possible largely by America’s productive farmers and ranchers. According to the most recent (2008) information from the USDA’s Economic Research Service, American families and individuals spend, on average, less than 10 percent of their disposable personal income for food.

For more information on Food Check-Out Week, contact your county Farm Bureau office or log onto 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. Join Farm Bureau today and support our efforts to serve as an advocate for rural Minnesota, www.fbmn.org.