Food Check-Out Week 2013 is Feb. 17-23

Farmer and rancher members of many local Farm Bureaus will reach out to consumers in their communities during Food Check-Out Week (Feb. 17-23, 2013). Farm Bureau members will offer tips on how consumers can stretch their grocery dollars with healthy, nutritious food. During this week, many farmers and ranchers also plan to make a special effort to reach out to consumers in-person or through social media, to answer questions about the food that they grow or the livestock and poultry they raise.

The Food Check-Out Week connection between Farm Bureau and Ronald McDonald House Charities was forged more than a decade ago. Since the program was initiated in the mid-1990s, Farm Bureau members have donated more than $3 million in food and monetary contributions to Ronald McDonald Houses and other worthwhile charities during Food Check-Out Week. On the national level, the AFB Women’s Leadership Committee staffs supermarket demonstration stations for consumers to help them increase their knowledge of how to stay on a budget while purchasing healthy food for their families. The committee makes cash and food donations to Ronald McDonald Houses.

The third week of February was selected for Food Check-Out Week as a way to celebrate American food and as a bridge to National Nutrition Month in March.

Check back closer for updates on Food Check-Out Week celebrations.

Key messages for the program are:

• Farm Bureau is helping consumers find solutions to eating healthy on a stretched budget.
• America’s farmers and ranchers are committed to producing safe, abundant and healthy food.
• Through charitable donations to local Ronald McDonald Houses (and other charities) during Food Check-Out Week, we recognize the need everyone has to find solutions to feeding families healthy foods on a tight budget.

On the national level, the AFB Women’s Leadership Committee staffs supermarket demonstration stations for consumers to help them increase their knowledge of how to stay on a budget while purchasing healthy food for their families. The committee makes cash and food donations to Ronald McDonald Houses.

Looking for Food Check-Out Week materials to plan an event?

Free one-page nutrition facts sheets:

• Tips for Better Nutrition on a Tight Budget
• Understanding Food Labels
• Understanding What MyPlate Means
• How Much Should I Eat?

Order promotional materials to plan your Food Check-Out events today! Available materials include:

• Food Check-Out Week Supermarket Kit
• Nutrition Fact Cards
• Recipe Cards (meats, produce, grains, produce and alternative proteins)
• Reusable Shopping Bags
• Announcement Posters, Stickers and more!

Order Food Check-Out Week promotional materials here.