Farm Bureau group delivers groceries to Ronald McDonald House

CFBF's Young Farmers and Ranchers Statewide Chairman Jamie Johansson, left, reviews 12 feet of cash register receipt with YF&R county chairmen Ray Brock Jr. of Stanislaus County and Jim Spinetta of Amador County.

By Kate Campbell

It takes slightly more than a month for American consumers to earn the amount needed to pay for an entire year's worth of groceries. But, even though a safe, nutritious and inexpensive food supply is something to celebrate, there are families coping with critically ill children that barely have time to eat, much less shop for food and appreciate the abundance and affordability of our nation's food supply.

With that in mind, California Farm Bureau Federation's Young Farmers and Ranchers celebrated Food Check-Out Day on Feb. 5 with a trip to the grocery store. The $660 worth of food they bought was delivered to the Ronald McDonald House in Sacramento. The cash register receipt was at least 12 feet long and shopping, loading and unloading took the work of more than a dozen young farmers. They also got a hand from Future Farmers of America state and regional officers.

Normally, the representatives from these two farm organizations would concentrate their purchases on farm fresh produce, dairy and meats. This time, in addition to the multitude of fresh items, they also delivered packaged foods that can be popped in a microwave or carried in a pocket while sitting at a child's bedside at the hospital.

Sacramento's Ronald McDonald House is a 20-bedroom facility, adjacent to the University of California, Davis, Medical Center and Shriner's Hospital in Sacramento. For $20 a night, it offers families with critically ill children a home away from home.

Some families arrive at the critical care hospitals with nothing but the clothes on their backs. In some cases their child has been life-flighted by emergency helicopter. Others have jumped in their cars and followed a screaming ambulance down the freeway in a rush for medical help. Often, they've forgotten credit cards and checkbooks, toothbrushes and a bar of soap.

"When they come up for air a few days later, they realize they need to take a shower, brush their teeth and eat," said Lois Polaschek, house manager for the Ronald McDonald House in Sacramento. "We can offer them a safe haven close to the hospital and their child's bedside."

There are more than 200 Ronald McDonald Houses in the United States and in 20 countries. Since the organization's founding in 1974, the charity has helped more than 10 million families. The houses are supported by donations and the help of more than 25,000 volunteers.

"People often want to donate toys to the children, but many are in the hospital and too sick to play. We need food and money; that's why this donation from the Farm Bureau's Young Farmers and Ranchers is so welcome," Polaschek said.

At the Ronald McDonald House in Sacramento, weary families often are greeted with the smell of fresh baked cookies when they return to their rooms after a long day at the hospital. It's a reminder of home, comfort and happy times. The facility's sleep rooms are clustered around kitchens and separate living rooms. Volunteer "grandmothers" come in during the day to bake and help prepare light meals.

Butte County olive grower Jamie Johansson, who is state chairman of CFBF's Young Farmers and Ranchers, said, "Food Check-Out Day has become a celebration of California farmers' ability to provide affordable nutrition here and around the world. In the past 60 years, we've been able to create a situation where there's no natural reason that anyone should go hungry."

The U.S. Department of Agriculture says it took American families just 36 days-from Jan. 1 to Feb. 5-to pay for all the food they'll need for an entire year.

"California's farmers and ranchers provide a reliable supply of food and fiber through responsible stewardship of our natural resources," said CFBF President Bill Pauli. "Farm Bureau members work hard to produce food and fiber that is both safe and affordable."

Last year, the average American worked until April 27-nearly three additional months-to pay taxes.

Food Check-Out Day was created to help celebrate the bounty of the food and fiber coming from America's farms and ranches. California's farmers and ranchers are some of the most productive in the world.

The U.S. Agriculture Department also reports that American families and individuals currently spend, on average, just 10 percent of their disposable personal income for food. The percentage of disposable income spent for food has declined during the past 35 years. In 1970, Food Check-Out Day would have been 15 days later.

More than 24 million American workers (17 percent of the total U.S. workforce) produce, process and sell the nation's food and fiber. Farmers and ranchers receive just 19 cents out of every dollar spent on food at home and away from home.

According to the California Department of Food and Agriculture, California agriculture is a $27.5 billion dollar enterprise that produces 250 crop and livestock commodities. This abundance generates an estimated $100 billion in related economic activity.

The department also reports that California has some of the most agriculturally productive counties in the nation. Of the top 10 agricultural producing counties nationwide, eight are located in California. California also is the nation's leader in agricultural exports, annually shipping more than $6.5 billion in both food and agricultural commodities around the world.