New GMO Labeling Will Cost Consumers Hundreds per Year

A study released by Professor William Lesser in the Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management at Cornell University shows that pending legislation that mandates labeling of foods containing ingredients that have been genetically modified would dramatically raise food costs for consumers in New York. 

A family of four would see an average increase of $500 each year, but for some, the increase could be closer to $800.

“Consumers already have a choice to buy food labeled as non-GMO or organic when they shop,” said Jeff Williams, chairman of the Empire State Council of Agricultural Organization.  “Families in this state shouldn’t be burdened with additional costs because of this unnecessary legislation.”

Hundreds of studies have shown that GMO foods are safe and have the same nutritional value as conventionally grown products. 

The full report can be viewed at: http://dyson.cornell.edu/people/profiles/docs/LabelingNY.pdf

Annual Thanksgiving Shopping Basket

This is from New York Farm Bureau:

The 2013 Market Basket Survey reveals large price differences for a typical turkey dinner when comparing different regions of the state.

As always, shoppers in New York Farm Bureau’s 11 districts try to get the best prices available, as most shoppers would, but do not use promotional coupons or special deals such as “buy one-get one free.”  The shopping list includes 12 Thanksgiving food items ranging from turkey and rolls to fresh carrots and celery to whipping cream.

The 2013 Thanksgiving survey displayed considerable price variation across the state as well as within districts. The purchase of all items ranged from $19.28 in Canandaigua to $36.17 in Broome County.  No District had the highest or lowest in every category.

The moral to this story…watch the prices and you can save.  Some examples include:

Market Basket Survey Comparison	Price Range	Average Price
Frozen, Self-Basting Turkey	.88 cents to $2.59 per lb.	$1.53 per lb.
Herb-seasoned cube stuffing 14oz.	.99 cents to $2.99	$2.47
Enriched Brown & Serve Rolls 12 oz./12 per pkg.	$1.50 to $3.39	$2.31
Gallon of Whole Milk	$2.19 to $4.29	$3.53
Frozen Green Peas 16oz. pkg.	.99  cents to $2.61	$1.71
Libby’s Pumpkin Pie Mix 30oz. can	$2.29 to $3.97	$3.08
Whipping Cream ½ pint carton	.94 cents to $2.99	$1.84
Package of Fresh Cranberries	$1.98 to $5.00	$2.78

This survey is one of the responsibilities of the NYFB State Promotion and Education Committee which also participates in the American Farm Bureau Federation’s Quarterly Market Basket Survey. AFBF’s 28th annual informal national price survey of classic items found on the Thanksgiving Day dinner table indicates the average cost of this year’s feast for 10 is $49.04, a 44-cent price decrease from last year’s national average of $49.48.

More information on the national survey can be found at www.fb.org.

 

Farmers Get 16 Cents for Every Dollar Spent on Food

The next time you're in the grocery store and feel like complaining about the farmer when you see the cost of food, check out this story.

Go to http://www.ers.usda.gov/amber-waves/2013-july/ers-food-dollar-series-allows-an-indepth-look-at-farm-level-components-of-the-us-food-dollar.aspx#.UdNTQ23-qvQ to see this report from the USDA Economic Research Service. For every dollar spent on food, the farmer gets only 16 cents or less.