Time to be Thankful
This is the time of year we take at least a moment to be thankful for the great abundance of food we have in this country. A recent report from USDA shows that over 85 percent of American households have enough – or more than enough – to eat. That means that as a nation, we are “food secure.”
That was the good news – which didn’t make the headlines. The bad news that did is that almost 15 percent are reportedly some level of “food insecure” – which according to USDA means families that “had difficulty putting enough food on the table at times during the year.”
There is absolutely no reason for anyone in this country to go hungry, ever – much less some 49 million people. We have more than abundant resources in this nation to feed those who are without the means to feed themselves and if people are “food insecure” it is because they are not taking advantage of those resources for some reason. The fact is that even the 15 percent who are classified as “food insecure” in our nation have much more to eat than the poor in most other countries.
On Thanksgiving – and frankly every day of the year – we should be thankful for the food security of our nation and reach out to those who may be “insecure” to get the help that is available. It is our job as individuals, companies, organizations and governments to feed those who are in need.
We should also be thankful that this year’s Thanksgiving dinner is even more affordable than last year, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation. AFBF’s 24th annual informal price survey of classic items found on the Thanksgiving Day dinner table found the average cost of this year’s feast for 10 is $42.91, a $1.70 price decrease from last year’s average of $44.61. That’s four percent less than a year ago, and adjusted for inflation it actually costs LESS than when the first AFBF study was conducted in 1986.
This country has been truly blessed with the great abundance of affordable food brought to us by our farmers and ranchers. Let us all give thanks for that blessing.
It's time to thank our farmers and ranchers for all their hard work to feed us.
6 Comments
AgWired » Blog Archives » Happy Thanksgiving From South Dakota!
[...] echoing the sentiments of Cindy’s Thanksgiving post, today is a day to be thankful and count our many blessings. While most of us have a family to [...]
phil
Like in Canada, US farmers receive a huge subsidy from the rest of society. It is time farmers showed some gratitude for that.
Chuck
You sound kind of bitter Phil. Have you ever met a farmer who didn’t show his/her gratitude? Do you doubt the economics necessary to supply you with the quality and quantity of safe food you have?
phil
Bitter? No. Tired of the double standard? You bet.
Have you ever met a farmer who didn’t show his/her gratitude?
I have never met or heard of one who has, or feels a need to.
Do you doubt the economics necessary to supply you with the quality and quantity of safe food you have?
Yes I do, unequivocally.
phil
Frankly, Chuck, in this neck of the woods, I have yet to hear a farmer express anything but a sense of entitlement to the fruits of someone else’s paycheck.
Chuck
I guess you don’t really understand the complexity of international agribusiness. I wish is was as simple as you would like it to be.
Same for all the demanding dependents on govt. welfare programs. I’m sure you know that the biggest part of the USDA budget is for food assistance. None of which goes to farmers.
All farmers I know would gladly give up subsidies if we played on a level field. Now if you could convince the EU, South American countries, etc. to get rid of them . . .
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