While prices in food fluctuate year over year, the farmer’s share of the food dollar remains near just 15%. According to the United States Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service, a food dollar represents a $1 expenditure on domestically grown and raised food by U.S. consumers.
Many contributing factors continue to impact the price of food including input costs, transportation, trade, energy, advertising and workforce.
“The bottom line is farmers are price takers, not price makers,” said Sonnentag. “Despite changing prices in the grocery store, the farmer’s share of the food dollar tends to track very closely to 15 cents on the dollar.”
SOUND PRACTICES FOR A SUSTAINABLE MEAL
While making decisions in the grocery store, shoppers can be rest assured they are purchasing from a sustainable food supply.
According to Gather Wisconsin, preserving and protecting natural resources has always been and will always be a priority in every aspect of food production. Farmers are innovators and continue to create and adopt methods to progress towards their goals. Farmers use the latest technology and innovative practices to improve watershed quality, soil health and reduce their environmental impact.
These sound practices not only help the environment but also preserve food prices in the store.
“Every decision on the farm is articulately made with both the environment and consumer in mind,” said Sonnentag. “Innovative solutions and precision technologies allow farmers to do more with less inputs, which contributes to a sustainable food supply.”
Shoppers can do their part to protect the environment, too. Approximately one-third of human food produced in the world is either lost or wasted. Shoppers can reduce food waste at home by sticking to grocery lists, creatively repurposing leftovers or donating unopened, nonperishable food items to local food pantries.
Shoppers can learn more about sustainable solutions both on the farm and in the home by visiting www.gatherwisconsin.com.
Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation is the state’s largest farm organization. Made up of 61 county Farm Bureaus, it represents farms of every size, commodity and management style.
