On the fourth Thursday of every November, people come together around the table to be thankful. As we share a special holiday with our friends and family, it’s important to be reminded that there’s more to Thanksgiving than just a good meal. Behind the green bean casserole, cranberry sauce and cheesy potatoes is the hard work of a farmer who faced unpredictable weather, market uncertainty and long hours to put food on our plates.
Farming is one of the most challenging jobs there is. And while many families are currently feeling the effects of inflation this Thanksgiving, so are farmers.
Crystal Farms works with more than 1,000 farmers across Minnesota and Wisconsin alone. We know the hardships farmers face when it comes to keeping pace with inflation. Rising production costs for items like feed, seed, fertilizer and equipment continue to increase. Due to economic uncertainty, farmers also have to continuously think outside of the box, whether it be improving crop efficiency or staying up-to-date with market trends, equipment and resources. But the reason why farmers work so hard isn’t for fame and fortune; it’s so they can provide for their families and nourish ours.
Each farm in the United States feeds 166 people annually, while less than 2% of the U.S. population consists of farmers. Despite all the hard work this small percentage of people put in to feed our country, farmers and ranchers only receive 8 cents out of every dollar spent on food. The remainder goes toward production costs, processing, transportation and distribution. It’s not easy to feed millions of people, which is one of the reasons why small farms are slowly dwindling.
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Over the past few years, Crystal Farms has rewired its supply chain to source nearly 100% of the dairy used in our cheese from the Midwest through our Midwest Farms Forever initiative. Our team has also partnered with FFA to encourage future generations to follow their agricultural dreams and provide the necessary funds and resources for agriculture teachers to do their jobs most effectively. It’s great to be able to connect with these bright and determined students and hear their goals for the future knowing they have support as they enter a demanding yet crucial industry.
Supporting local farms and showing gratitude for the farmers who tirelessly work behind the scenes should be a top priority for all of us this year. As we sit down for our Thanksgiving meals, let’s give thanks to the farmers who made it possible.