What makes up your food dollar?

Have you ever wondered what makes up the amount of money you spend on food?

The United States Department of Agriculture recently released its annual breakdown of the country’s food dollar giving consumers an answer to this question.

While we’ve visited this topic in past years, the minuscule amount of money (17.4%) that goes back to the farm (where your food was grown) is simply amazing. Our farmers and ranchers continue to produce year after year meeting demands in a way that is efficient, profitable, environmentally conscious and yet highly affordable for consumers.

And thanks to America’s food producers, we spend a lower percentage of our income on food than any other nation in the world!


A couple of things to keep in mind as prices inevitably rise at the grocery store.

• Farm commodities make up only 17% of food costs, so don’t be quick to blame the price of corn, soybeans or beef without considering the many other components that make up your food dollar.
• Secondly, remember that our food is very affordable compared to any other country in the world. We are very blessed.

For more information on the food dollar, click here.