JAMESTOWN, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – The North Dakota Farmers Union and the Jamestown Area Chamber of Commerce Ag and Energy Committee are partnering to host a meal that will help raise awareness about how much income farmers actually earn from their share of the food products.

This Farmer’s Share Meal will be held at the NDFU offices on Thursday, July 12th at noon. Chamber Executive Director Becky Thatcher-Keller says the whole event will show just how much farmers get paid for what they produce.

According to USDA, farmers receive just 14.8 cents of every retail dollar that consumers spend on food.

“That is the lowest amount since USDA began tracking the Farmer’s Share in 1993,” the chamber states. “Most of the food dollar – 80 cents – is spent on marketing, processing, wholesaling, distributing and retailing.”

The sponsors are providing the meal at a cost of $1.25 at the door to demonstrate in a public way how little the farmer receives for their efforts and the importance of a strong farm bill for those on the farm and those at the table.

Tickets are available at the ND Farmers Union or at the Jamestown Area Chamber of Commerce offices, and you do need to get your tickets no later than Friday, July 6th so they can plan the numbers for the meal.

For questions, please contact the ND Farmers Union office at 701-252-2341 or for more information.