Grocery cart races mark Food Check-Out Week

To celebrate the fact that the average American family will have earned enough disposable income by mid-February to pay for their food supply for the entire year, Tulare County Farm Bureau’s Young Farmers and Ranchers Committee will host its annual Grocery Cart Race at 8 a.m. on Sunday, Feb, 24, in Tulare to mark Food Check-Out Week, February17-23.  

Food Check-Out Week is a celebration of the abundance and safety of our food supply in the United States. On average, an American family spends approximately 10 percent of their disposable personal income for food. Consumers in other countries spend considerably more: France, 14 percent; Japan, 15 percent; China, 35 percent; Philippines, 37 percent; Indonesia, 46 percent.

The official theme for this year’s national celebration is “Stretching Your Grocery Dollar with Healthy, Nutritious Food.”

“We look forward to the annual Grocery Cart Race every year. It’s a fun filled event that serves as a friendly competition and a great way to celebrate Food Checkout Week,” said Jennifer Misko, YF&R committee philanthropy chair. “We’re excited to celebrate our safe and affordable food supply while filling our carts with food that is donated to a local food charity in support of those who experience food insecurity in our community.”

The race itself consists of teams that will compete in a timed event to fill their shopping carts with a predetermined list of food items. Grocery Cart Race takes place at FoodsCo, located at 1210 E. Prosperity Ave. in Tulare. Last year, Grocery Cart Race teams raised approximately $1,000 for the purchase of food donated to the local food bank. Proceeds this year will also be donated to a local food charity.

Young Farmers and Ranchers develop leadership skills while volunteering time as active, vital members of the county Farm Bureau. For more information about joining YF&R, contact the Tulare County Farm Bureau at 732-8301 or tcfb@tulcofb.org or follow the group on Facebook.