The foundation of our well-being as a society depends upon the domestic  production of food. Our farmers and ranchers provide us with an abundant, nutritious food  supply throughout the year. 

In recognition of this achievement, the board and members of the Gilchrist County  Farm Bureau will celebrate Food Check-Out Week from Feb. 17 through Feb.21. 

To celebrate Food Check-Out Week, please visit our Facebook page at Gilchrist  County Farm Bureau to see what we are doing through the week.  

We are pleased to share this abundance with our fellow residents.  

Thanks to the productivity and efficiency of Florida’s agricultural producers, they  continue to maintain a stable bounty of food in our communities. Their dedication and skill  levels have overcome a difficult marketplace, weather extremes and plant and animal  pests and diseases.  

Their effective natural resource management provides crucial environmental  benefits to all Floridians. According to state officials, farmers and ranchers conserve 12  billion gallons of water each year by their care.  

Farm families achieve these successes despite receiving a steadily smaller portion  of the retail grocery dollar. According to new U.S. Department of Agriculture data, in 1973  farmers and ranchers received approximately 30 cents out of every dollar spent on food. By  2022, the share farmers and ranchers received had declined to approximately 9.1 cents.  The pattern remains the same for this year. Off-farm costs – processing, packaging,  transportation, wholesaling and retailing – account for the majority of the food prices  consumers pay. 

Most of the recent increases in retail food prices have been the result of higher  prices of energy needed to process, haul and refrigerate food. 

Our bountiful domestic food supply is the product of skill and dedication. We invite  area residents to join us in celebrating the farmers and ranchers who grow healthy and  nutritious foods.  

The Gilchrist County Farm Bureau urges you to join us in our Food Check-Out Week  event(s). We are proud to highlight Florida agriculture and the people who make it  successful. 

Gray Smith, President of Gilchrist County Farm Bureau Board