Friday Food Facts

The West contains only 20% of the U.S. farmland but it produces 60% of the total value of the agricultural products we enjoy today; important for food and national security. The reason we’re so productive out West? Targeted, and managed irrigation including drip for raising the food we eat. We grow more, using less.

For beef lovers, prime rib is considered an ideal alternative to turkey at Thanksgiving. And no wonder, Arizona is home to some of the highest quality and tastiest beef around. For beef recipes and to purchase directly from an Arizona rancher go to Fill Your Plate.org.

Arizona’s agriculture industry represents the strongest use of modern technology to conserve and manage water including drip, basin, pivot, and siphon tube irrigation. Plus, our long-term planning, storage and managed water transfer rank in the top tier compared to other parts of the country.

Greek yogurt is another popular superfood. In Arizona, our dairy cows produce high-quality milk for one of our very own yogurt manufacturing plants. Remember, dairy contains 9 essential nutrients, making it one of the most nutrient-rich food items you can enjoy.

Last we heard, the largest turkey on record weighed 86 pounds, about the size of a large dog. Americans consume 46 million turkeys at Thanksgiving each year. A few of our Arizona retail farms raise turkeys for the holidays. But nearly the whole meal can be grown and raised in Arizona… except the cranberries.