(EMAILWIRE.COM, February 09, 2001 ) Members of the Los Angeles County Farm Bureau presented the Los Angeles Ronald McDonald House with $1,000 in food donations to celebrate Food Check-Out Day.The California Farm Bureau's Young Farmers and Ranchers Committee (YF&R) has designated Wednesday, February 7, 2001 as Food Check-Out Day. This is the day the average American has earned enough income to pay for their family's entire 2001 food bill ------- just 38 days.Los Angeles Ronald McDonald House a "Home Away from Home"Derek Douglas, YF&R leader from Los Angeles County, joined other Farm Bureau members in presenting the Los Angeles Ronald McDonald House with boxes of food to several families served by the facility. The house is a "home away from home" for families of children undergoing treatment for cancer and other life-threatening illnesses at Children's Hospital of Los Angeles and other surrounding medical facilities."We are pleased to partner with the Los Angeles Ronald McDonald House to share some of our bounty with families of children who have serious illnesses," said Douglas. "Food Check-Out Day is a celebration of the bounty from California's farms and ranches, and how that bounty is shared with consumers through affordable prices. This year we have teamed with the Los Angeles Ronald McDonald House to provide food to families who need a helping hand."Income Spent on FoodThe U.S. Department of Agriculture's Economic Research Service reports American families and individuals spend, on average, 10.4 percent of their disposable personal income for food. California households will have earned enough disposable income--that portion of income available for spending or saving--to pay for the annual food supply by Wednesday, February 7, 2001.The productivity of California agriculture is one reason food costs are relatively low. California farmers and ranchers produced $26.7 billion in total agricultural value in 1999. Each California farmer provides enough food for 129 people, according to Douglas. He said the farmer's share of each dollar spent for food at the retail level is 21 cents. The rest pays for wages and materials for processing, marketing, transportation and distribution.Mike Elias, who manages the Los Angeles Ronald McDonald House, expressed appreciation for Farm Bureau's food donation."We are grateful for Farm Bureau's support of the Los Angeles Ronald McDonald House with this donation to help the families we serve," said Elias. "The generosity of Los Angeles County Farm Bureau members is greatly appreciated as are the contributions California farmers and ranchers make everyday to our lives."The Los Angeles Ronald McDonald House, a haven of hope for families of children undergoing treatment for cancer and other life-threatening illnesses, is open to families whose children are hospitalized and outpatients who are away from home. The House provides low-cost, and often free, accommodations for up to 32 families each night.---------------Produced for the California Farm BureauContact:Gary CalorosoPorter Novelli310/444-7000Bob KrauterCalifornia Farm Bureau916/561-5550---------------

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