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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
FOOD CHECKOUT DAY
WHEREAS, Food Checkout Day was established in the mid-1990's to recognize the connection between farmers and the safe, nutritious food source they cooperatively grow; and
WHEREAS, the Cook County Farm Bureau® has celebrated Food Checkout Day by raising cash and food donations for Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana since 2001; and
WHEREAS, Food Checkout Day will again be celebrated at the Ronald McDonald House near Advocate Hope Children's Hospital in Oak Lawn; and
WHEREAS, since 2001 Cook County Farm Bureau® members have donated 378 hours, 49,715 pounds of food, contributed $67,773 in cash donations and 1,529 pounds of pop tabs to support Chicagoland's four Ronald McDonald Houses; and
WHEREAS, Ronald McDonald House continues to improve the health, well-being and education of children by providing a "home away from home" to keep families together while their child is receiving medical treatment far from home; and
WHEREAS, Ronald McDonald House, in partnership with Advocate Hope Children's Hospital, provides essential services to children in underserved areas in a mobile environment; and
WHEREAS, 678,000 people in Cook County each year rely on emergency and supplemental food assistance provided by the Food Depository and its member network; and
WHEREAS, in some Cook County communities, as many as one in three people are food insecure; and
WHEREAS, research has indicated a strong link between food insecurity and poverty; and
WHEREAS, Food Checkout Day's theme this year is "Stretching your grocery dollars with healthy, nutritious food" reflecting the fact that Americans from all walks of life continue to work through an economic squeeze; and
WHEREAS, public health experts remain concerned that families may resort to buying less-nutritious foods that lack essential vitamins, minerals, fiber and other nutrients; and
WHEREAS, the 46,000 members of the Cook County Farm Bureau® including over 1,000 farmer members recognize the importance of producing a safe, nutritious food using environmentally sustainable practices; and
WHEREAS, Cook County farmers recognize the need for better access throughout Cook County to fresh food; and
WHEREAS, Food Checkout Day is dedicated to supporting those in need while increasing individuals' awareness of those families without adequate food supplies; and
WHEREAS, despite cash and non-perishable donations there is increased need at all four of Ronald McDonald houses in Cook County.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Cook County Board of Commissioners recognize Thursday, March 20 as Food Checkout Day and salute the efforts of the Cook County Farm Bureau® and the Ronald McDonald House Charities®- Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana for their efforts to feed those individuals and families in need, and be it
FURTHER RESOLVED, that a suitable copy be tendered to the Ronald McDonald House Charities®- Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana and the Cook County Farm Bureau®.
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