It is estimated that farmers and ranchers receive a mere 14.3* cents of every food dollar that consumers spend. According to the USDA, off-farm costs, including marketing, processing, wholesaling, distribution, and retailing, account for more than 80 cents of every food dollar spent in the United States. While America still produces one of the cheapest and safest food supplies, consumers and farmers are feeling the effects of inflation. The 2017 USDA AG Census shows an average net farm income of -$1,400 for the 919 farms in Pendleton County. For reference of the 33 vendors in the 2021 market season, the average market sales per vendor over a 27-week season were $2,971. With a personal mission of “keeping farmers farming and keeping families fed,” Lindie Huffman, Pendleton County ANR Extension Agent, developed an agricultural awareness program inspired by statistics from the National Farmers Union (NFU). The breakfast-for-dinner event “The Farmers’ Share” was hosted on a Tuesday Night Market at the Pendleton County Farmers’ Market during National Farmers’ Market Week. Partnering with a local food truck to plan the menu and provide the “breakfast,” #lindiecountyagent secured a $750 Kentucky Proud grant, gathered ingredients from eight local farms to provide a full breakfast at “The Farmers’ Share” price of 0.52 cents. Patrons could purchase this rib-sticking meal of two eggs, fried potatoes, biscuits and gravy, sausage, bacon, milk, and of course, honey, butter, jam, and maple syrup. ALL 65 meals were sold. The program’s purpose was to bring awareness to general consumers on the true cost of shopping on a large scale and the value of shopping local, while also bringing up Tuesday night market attendance. The program marketing package was developed and distributed by Pendleton CES via flyers to local businesses, Facebook Events, and Facebook Live, with a social media reach of 3,293. Each shopper received a brochure developed by County Ag Agent that shared the importance of shopping locally and awareness of the small profit margins each farm family faces, so they would think a little differently as consumers on their next trip to the grocery store. Participants were shocked by the price and impressed by the meal quality.

* (2022 USDA Ag Econ Research Service)