(Editor’s note: World Food Day was Oct. 16.)
We, in the agricultural community, would like to remind you that every day is “food day” and celebrating should be done with each meal, whether the food comes from your garden, farmers market, grocery store or the local food pantry.
Ohio’s farmers have demonstrated their commitment to provide a safe, nutritious, abundant and affordable food supply for consumers, while protecting the environment and caring for their animals. In addition, we address hunger and food insecurity by generously donating food products to our local food pantries.
Whether one chooses food that is organic or vegan, prepackaged or fresh, locally grown or conventionally raised, from the supermarket or the farmers market, we support the right of a consumer to choose food that fits their lifestyle and family budget.
Placing restrictions on the U.S. food system that limits the ability to produce the food we need will increase the cost of food and limit healthy, affordable food choices for everyone, no matter what the consumer income level is.
According to the USDA, if we relied on the food production systems of 1950, approximately 150 million people living in the U.S. today would be without food.
Supporting a diverse food supply that is raised in a variety of farming methods is vital to ensuring that we all have access to affordable food.
The farmers of Mahoning County are proud to be helping provide a bountiful supply of food and strongly believe in supporting “food choice.”
(The author is organization director for the Mahoning County Farm Bureau.)