Retail food prices in Kentucky dropped 1.62% in 2016 according to the Kentucky Farm Bureau Marketbasket Survey. The survey is taken quarterly and denotes the average total cost of 40 basic grocery items. 

Shoppers in the U.S. spend only about 10 percent of their disposable income on food each year. Those costs remain far lower than any other country in the world thanks to many of the agricultural efficiencies utilized in America.  Today the average U.S. farmer produces enough food and fiber to provide for about 154 people – a significant jump from an average of 19 people per farmer back in 1940.

The Logan County Farm Bureau Federation with assistance from members of the Logan County FFA Chapter conducted a “Food Check-out Day”  Feb 24^th at the Russellville Piggly Wiggly grocery store and the Lewisburg Hometown IGA grocery store. At each location participants guessed the value of a typical basket of groceries. A $50 first place prize and $25 second place prize of a gift certificate for groceries were given to the winners at both locations.

Farm Bureau board members Bobby Dawson, Gary Jenkins, Doug Milliken and Karen Milliken worked at the Piggley Wiggley location. They were assisted by Logan County FFA members Hanna Price, treasurer elect for 2017-18; Andrew Milam, president 2016-17 and Zac Milam, 2017-18 secretary elect.

Martha Arnold won first place with a guess of $143.75 and Caryl Kramer won second place with a guess of $125 on a basket of groceries worth $134.80.  

The Food Check-out at the Lewisburg Hometown IGA location was staffed by Farm Bureau board members Thomas Poole and Russell Poore. They were assisted by Logan County FFA members Rachel Taylor, treasurer elect 2017-18; Meleea Reno, vice president elect 2017-18 and Jessalyn Robey, president elect 2017-18. The first place winner was Hattie Shelton with a guess of $160 and Becky Lopez won second place with a guess of $150 on a basket of groceries worth $162.

These food check-out events were conducted to give recognition to the American farmers for providing us with affordable food.  As a result, we have more money to spend on other things which boosts our economy and quality of life.