Category: Radio Spots

From California Farms to Your Table

We enjoy a bounty of fresh fruits, vegetables and nuts grown on California farms – farms that produce about half of the fresh food in the U.S.  But food only grows where water flows.  California’s aging water system has put our economy, farmers and fresh food production at risk.  Help California farmers continue to feed families and keep our state’s economy strong by supporting solutions for a more reliable water supply.

 

Buy Local and Put Money in Your Pocket

American consumers benefit financially from irrigated agriculture.  In the U.S., consumers spend just 6.2 percent of their disposable income on food and non-alcoholic beverages compared to 10.2 percent on average in 28 other high-income countries. https://farmwater.org/food_cost_results.pdf

To the average American family this represents a savings $3,820 each year in comparison to food costs paid by families in other countries.

As consumers we have choices on where we spend our money.  Efficient farming practices have helped keep food costs low while providing hundreds of healthful and affordable farm products at the grocery store.  Lower food costs means money that would otherwise be spent to feed our families can instead be used to enrich our lives through recreation, music, philanthropy and even ballet lessons.

 

Innovation = Lower Food Costs

From north to south, California farmers use innovative practices to boost water use efficiency. Over time, improvements in the way water is stored and delivered allows farmers to grow more food while using less water.  That stretches resources and helps keep costs low for consumers.

From 2003 through 2013 San Joaquin Valley farmers invested about $3 billion upgrading their irrigation systems on 2.5 million acres of farmland.  That investment circulates through the economy by creating jobs and economic benefits for on-farm and farm-related businesses.

 

Food Safety is Our Highest Priority

Consumers trust California farm products because they’re grown under the most stringent regulations governing pesticide use, health and safety, and worker protections.  Wages often exceed State and federal minimum standards.  It is comforting to know that the food we provide our families comes from families just like ours – produced by farmers who care about the environment; about food safety; and about the people working to bring the crops to market.