By Jennifer Whitlock
Field Editor
Food is a topic many Texans are hungry to learn more about. To help do just that, McCulloch County Farm Bureau (CFB) hosted a Food Connection Day event.
The annual activity allows consumers to connect with local farmers and ranchers and ask questions about food and agriculture.
Each year, McCulloch CFB leaders serve hamburgers, chips and drinks at no cost to anyone who wishes to stop by and share lunch with area farmers and ranchers.
“We’ve been doing this about the last five years,” McCulloch CFB President Bobby Pearce said. “Of course, we were unable to host the event last year because of the pandemic, so we were very excited to present our Food Connection event to our community again this year.”
The event has grown every year, and about 260 people were in attendance on May 12.
During lunch, the county organization showed various videos which promote agriculture and different farming practices. The local farmers and ranchers encouraged diners to learn more about farming and ranching in McCulloch County.
Legislative staff representing U.S. Congressman August Pfluger and Texas Sen. Charles Perry were also in attendance, helping serve meals and talking to constituents about agriculture and policy development.
“Food Connection just gives us a chance to communicate and visit with the community and our members,” Pearce said. “We were proud to have Congressman Pfluger’s regional director, Laura Almond, and Sen. Perry’s district director, Laura Lewis, helping us out this year. They understand the importance of agriculture to our community, so it was great to have that support and presence.”
The local radio station, KNEL, conducted a live broadcast of the event.
McCulloch CFB presented door prizes, some of which were donated by Tractor Supply, who offered space to host the event. Oklahoma Steel and Wire Co. also had a display and donated door prizes.
“These Food Connection events are so important, because they help people understand that it doesn’t matter who you are or where you work, you’re affected by agriculture,” Pearce said. “In rural communities especially, agriculture supports a lot of economic activity, so it’s vital to towns like ours. We had a great turnout, and we were pleased to be able to visit with folks again.”