WASHINGTON   –  U.S. Representative Jo Ann Emerson (MO-08) today reminded Missourians that February 7th is National Food Checkout Day – the day on which the average American family has earned enough to purchase the year’s supply of groceries.

“It’s a great testament to our farmers, ranchers, and everyone in our agricultural community that our national supply of safe, nutritious food is so affordable.  In other developed countries, it takes four or five months of wages to purchase groceries for the year – well over a third of annual income.  Here in the U.S. we are fortunate to have hardworking producers using state-of-the-art methods and technologies to feed the nation in a fraction of that time.  Just over ten percent of our disposable income goes to groceries,” Emerson said.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the average American spends about $2,400 per year on food consumed at home and in restaurants.  It takes 36 days to pay annual food expenses, compared to 77 days when the average American family has earned enough to pay the federal tax bill.

“National Food Checkout Day is like another Thanksgiving.  We ought to recognize our farm, ranch and agricultural communities for the great contribution they make to the health and well-being of every American family.  These men and women truly work hard to put a quality product on the kitchen tables in homes across the nation,” Emerson said.  “National Food Checkout Day is a real accomplishment and a credit to their diligence and industriousness.”

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