“FM95’s Chuck O’Brien learned Monday he needs far more than five minutes to shop for a half month’s worth of groceries. The radio personality’s cart held a dozen cans of fruit and a package of elbow macaroni at Main Street Hy-Vee. ‘This poor family is going to be on a lean diet,’ a spectator said. O’Brien knew he was sluggish. ‘My wife does all the shopping,’ he said.
This week is Food Check-Out Week, recognizing that the average American has earned enough income in five weeks to pay for their family’s annual food supply. U.S. citizens spend 10 percent of their disposable income on food, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture statistics. By comparison, citizens of France spend 18 percent and Japan, 26 percent.”