A recent informal survey by the American Farm Bureau Federation Marketbasket shows prices at the supermarket decreased slightly for the third consecutive quarter.
It showed the total cost of 16 food items which could be used to prepare a meal was down by 2 percent — to a cost of $46.29. Of the 16 items surveyed, 10 decreased, five increased and one remained the same in the average price, the survey said.

Russett potatoes, boneless chicken breasts, eggs, sliced deli ham and whole milk declined the most, according to the survey.

The average retail prices for eggs, milk, chicken breast and bacon for the second quarter of 2009 are also lower than one year ago.

I feel this is the way businesses should always do, lower the price to get more business. Why do most of them think because their business is declining, they should up the price?

As retail grocery prices have increased gradually over time; the share of the average food dollar that Americans farm and ranch families receive has dropped.

Using the food at home and away from home percentage across the board, the farmers share of this quarter’s $46.29 Marketbasket would be $8.80, according to the survey.

According to the USDA, Americans spend just under 10 percent of their disposable annual income on food, the lowest average of any country in the world.

I think I save more because I plant and work the garden and pick and can the products.

I saw a small basket of tomatoes this past week for $11.99. I can’t tell you exactly how much mine cost, because I do not count how many I get from each plant. I know I did not pay that much for all the plants I have. Even a few bad tomatoes, still leaves plenty for us and some to share. I haven’t seen the price of the green beans lately, but I have been sharing and canning those also. The lima beans are filling out and the corn is coming on as well as the beats, cucumbers, melons, peppers, potatoes, etc..

I have also been picking blackberries this past week, I did not plant them, they are growing wild along my fields. Not as many as there used to be, but enough. They are not my favorite berry anyway, but the taste of the jelly is fine.

I hope some of you are showing your fruits and vegetables at the fair. This also saves money on the entrance to the fair and adds a little more enjoyment to the visits to the fair to see if your entry won.

Health care reform is also putting a tax on the purchases of sugar-sweetened beverages. Farm Bureau opposes the so-called “soda tax.” AFBF says that singling out specific food ingredients for taxation is not going to encourage Americans to become more active or teach them how to make better food choices. Farm Bureau also supports creating incentives such as scholarships and loans to students who agree to provide health care services in under served areas such as rural areas.

Farm Bureau helped to sponsor the Sale of Champions Show from the Ohio State Fair on TV this past week, I hope you were able to enjoy it.