James Garner Calls on America to Thank Farmers

James Garner is speaking out about the import role farmers are playing in providing a secure food and energy future. While news reports abound about increasing food prices, many do not realize that Americans still enjoy the cheapest food supply in the world. While the average price of a Thanksgiving dinner for 10 has increased about $4 this year, the price adjusted for inflation has declined about 9 percent in the past 20 years. According to the United States' Department of Agriculture (USDA), Americans spend just 10 percent of their disposable income on food expenses, while households in countries like India often spend 50 percent of their budget on food.

St. Louis, Mo. (PRWEB) Novemer 21, 2007 -- James Garner is calling on America (http://www.farmersmatter.org/index.html) to recognize the import role farmers are playing in providing a secure food and energy future.

"Many Americans don't realize that we enjoy the safest, most affordable food supply in the world, thanks to our country's farmers," Garner says. "This year, our corn growers are helping us to solidify a more secure energy future by also producing corn for cleaner-burning renewable ethanol. I hope others will join me in thanking corn growers for helping fill our grocery shelves and still filling our cars with renewable fuel."

Many families will soon gather to enjoy a Thanksgiving meal and express gratitude for health and happiness, but recent reports show America's farmers are also to thank for the opportunity to enjoy such a feast. While news reports abound about increasing food prices, many do not realize that Americans still enjoy the cheapest food supply in the world.

It is true that the average price of a Thanksgiving dinner for 10 has increased about $4 this year. However the real dollar price adjusted for inflation has actually declined about 9 percent in the past 20 years. According to the United States' Department of Agriculture (USDA), Americans spend just 10 percent of their disposable income on food expenses, while households in countries like India often spend 50 percent of their budget on food. Even countries in Europe spend more than twice what U.S. consumers spend on food costs.

"Collectively, America's farmers have harvested the largest corn crop in history this year. With increasingly demanding food, feed and fuel needs to meet, they've worked hard to ensure our food supply is not only safe and secure, but plentiful enough to meet all demands and retain the affordable food prices consumers have come to expect," says Ken McCauley, farmer and chairman of the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA).

"While corn prices have increased in recent months, economic analysis shows that when adjusted to real dollars without inflation, corn is a bargain at prices cheaper than 20 years ago," says Jim McLaren, economist and president of Strathkirn technical consulting company. "Combining these factors with farm production that continues to grow help keep America's food supply the cheapest on Earth. Our nation's farmers are really one of our country's greatest natural resources."

To join James Garner in thanking famers and learn more about the impact farmers have on keeping the country's food costs affordable and while stretching energy resources, visit www.farmersmatter.com (http://www.farmersmatter.org/index.html). Leave your own message thanking farmers this holiday season by participating in a video contest (http://www.votigo.com/thankafarmer/)and entering to win $1,500.

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