As they have done for the past decade and a half, farmer and rancher members of Arizona Farm Bureau will reach out to Arizona families in their communities during Food Check-Out Week (Feb. 19-25 this year). The official theme of the week is “Stretching Your Grocery Dollar With Healthy, Nutritious Food.” The theme reflects the continuing reality that many Americans are feeling an economic squeeze and as a result, prepare more meals at home.
Offering practical information and tips on how to put nutritious meals on the table with fewer dollars is just one aspect of Food Check-Out Week. Many participating farmers and ranchers also are committed to responding to broader questions consumers may have about food?how it is grown or raised and long-term effects on people’s health and the planet.
Arizona Farm Bureau’s Fill Your Plate web-based hub satisfies Arizona families’ desire to meet with Arizona farmers and ranchers, find healthy recipes and learn more about Arizona’s agriculture. A new feature on Fill Your Plate is its “Celebrity Q&A” that highlights local celebrities and their comments about food and Arizona agriculture.
“Arizona Farmers and ranchers have not had a voice in conversations about where food in America comes from,” says Sharla Mortimer, a farmer and rancher in Yavapai County and chair of the Arizona Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership Committee. “Now more than ever, both during special observances such as Food Check-Out Week and as we go about our day-to-day routines, we are committed to participating in conversations with our Arizona families, to answer the questions they might have about food.”
While various County Farm Bureau’s in Arizona are celebrating in different ways, statewide the Women’s Leadership Committee will be at the Arizona Capitol Thursday, February 23rd from 9:30 to 11:30 beginning in the House of Representatives to meet with legislators and provide a graphic of Arizona’s top 16 Commodities. Additionally, they’ll be giving away Apple pies made by Apple Annie’s, a local Cochise County farmer with Apple orchards.
About Arizona Farm Bureau
The Arizona Farm Bureau is a grassroots organization dedicated to preserving and improving the Arizona agriculture industry through member involvement in education, political activities, programs and services. As a member services organization, individuals can become a member by contacting the Farm Bureau. Go to www.azfb.org to learn more. For information on member benefits call 480.635.3609.
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- Arizona Farm Bureau Recognized for Excellence (fillyourplate.org)
- Look Who’s Talking Now: Farmers (fillyourplate.org)
- Bloggers Step Up to the Keyboard (fillyourplate.org)
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