Food in America remains affordable

Applying that statistic to the calendar year means the average household will have earned enough disposable income ? that portion of income available for spending or saving ? to pay for its annual food supply in about 36 days, according to Tennessee Farm Bureau.

In recognition of this, Tennessee Farm Bureau is celebrating Feb. 4-10 as Food Check-Out Week.

?Not only is America?s food supply the world?s safest, but it?s also the most affordable,? said Tammie Gribble, chairperson of the Warren County Farm Bureau Women?s Committee. ?It speaks well of our nation?s increasing standard of living, which would certainly be reduced without the safe, abundant and affordable domestic food supply produced by America?s farmers and ranchers.?

According to the Tax Foundation, Americans work 52 days each year to pay for health and medical care, 62 days for housing/ household operation, and 77 days to pay their federal taxes.

The percent of disposable personal income spent for food has declined over the past 35 years. In 1970, it took Americans 15 more days to earn enough income to pay for their food supply for the year.