Celebrate Ag Week with the Foods You Love

Mar 4, 2021 3 min read

Ag Week Meal Plate Infographic 

Food. We celebrate with it, using the right dish or dessert to add something extra to special occasions. (What’s a birthday celebration without cake?) We invent reasons to enjoy our favorite meals. (Tuesdays were made for tacos.) And some of us are always on the hunt for an extraordinary entrée or a unique combination of flavor and seasoning. Food is more than a way to help us power our day; it’s a way for us to enjoy the best parts of life.

But do you ever stop to think about where your favorite foods are grown or raised, or the farmer or rancher who works hard to bring these foods to the table?  Check out our sample plates below and learn more about the states where we do business that supply these fresh foods for your meals.

 Ag Week Meal Plate Breakfast Infographic

Breakfast

What’s on the menu: Bacon and eggs, toast, fruit and yogurt

The meal dubbed the “most important of the day” offers many fulfilling options. Love bacon and eggs? You can thank Iowa farmers who lead the nation in pork and egg production. If you prefer toast, you can tip your hat to the Kansas farmers who are in the top 10 in wheat production. Feeling more like fruit and yogurt? You may be able to credit Arizona fruit farmers and dairy producers from New Mexico for contributing this fare to your plate. Whether you have time for a sit-down breakfast or need a grab-and-go alternative, local farmers and ranchers have you covered with these healthy options.

 Ag Week Meal Plate Lunch Infographic

Lunch

What’s on the menu: Turkey sandwich and leafy green salad

When you are looking for a midday pick-me-up, you might be reaching for lighter fare that won’t weigh you down all afternoon. A protein-packed turkey on rye with a side salad would satisfy your hunger all afternoon. Farmers in Minnesota lead the nation in turkey production. South Dakota farmers play a vital role, too, as they are leading producers of rye, a key ingredient in sandwich bread.

A green salad provides a serving of fiber. There is a good chance your greens came from a farm in Arizona. Farmers there grow lettuce, avocados, broccoli, and kale. If you choose a honey-based salad dressing, you can thank farmers in South Dakota. Beekeepers there produced almost 25 million pounds of honey annually in recent years, contributing this key ingredient.

 Ag Week Meal Plate Dinner Infographic

Dinner

What’s on the menu: Burgers and potatoes

The evening meal is often a time to gather around the table with family and friends. And what better way to end the day than over a seared steak or juicy burger? Whether you grill it, broil it, or fry it in a pan, a well-seasoned cut of beef is the centerpiece of crave-worthy meals. With cuts ranging from the New York strip, sirloin, flank, ribs, and chuck roast, it’s versatile and flavorful and can be used in almost infinite ways. Beef producers in upper Midwest states assure you – it still is the centerpiece for a great dinner. Pair it with corn, beans from states like Kansas and Nebraska, or enjoy with a fresh peach, courtesy of Utah growers.  

Ag Week Meal Plate Dessert Infographic

Dessert

What’s on the menu: Fruit, ice cream and pecan pie

If you have a serious sweet tooth, who doesn’t love a bowl of ice cream with a cherry on top? No sundae is complete without a cherry (or two)! Utah is one of the leading producers of cherries, raspberries and strawberries, making every bowl a little sweeter, and dairy producers from Minnesota could take credit for your bowl of ice cream. And who doesn’t love a slice of pie at the end of a meal? Pecan pie wouldn’t be the possible without the pecan farmers in New Mexico.

Ag Week Meal Plate Snack Infographic

Snacks

What to reach for: Popcorn

Watching TV in the evening, you may crave a crunchy snack. Whether salty, sweet or flavored, popcorn is a fiber-filled go-to when you are at the movies or binge-watching your favorite shows. Nebraska farmers have you covered: they lead the nation in popcorn production.

 

No matter the plate, no matter the time of day, America’s farmers and ranchers have you covered. They work hard to provide fresh options in the foods you crave. When you sit down for your next meal, take a moment to appreciate their year-round work to bring color and flavor to your plate. We’re proud to work with farmers and ranchers as they produce the foods you bring to the table.

Want to learn more?

Contact a local FBFS agent or advisor for answers personalized to you.