There’s a saying, “It’s hard to complain about food when your mouth is full of Oreos.”  (Ok, we added that Oreo part… we just really, really enjoy those cookies.) Like all good adages, there is an element of truth to it.

We Americans have the safest, most affordable, most abundant food in the world. And other nations know it. It’s why so many rely on us for a good chunck of their food supply. It’s also why they try to emulate our farmers, food companies, and even government agencies like the USDA.

But this is where our saying takes on a new meaning. While it isn’t wise to complain with a mouthful, it’s also unwise to sit there, eating, and saying nothing at all. Instead of waiting for other nations to play catch up, American agriculture shouts, “Improve! Improve! Improve!”

Relax. This is not earth-shattering news. Heck, it’s not news at all. American farmers have always taken it upon themselves to make food safer, tastier, and… well, ideal for Oreos. The American way is ingrained in our farmers. It’s this spirit that has made the U.S.A. the food basket of the world.

Grab a cookie and take a closer look at how modern agriculture is making our food the envy of the world.

Food Price
Americans spend the smallest percentage of their disposable income on food – compared to every other country in the world. Americans spend about 10% of their disposalable income on food at home and in restaurants. That’s compared to 13% spent in the 1980s.

There’s been a lot of talk about what causes spikes in food prices. Discover for yourself what's really in your grocery cart.

Food Safety
Farmers know that food safety is a top priority. From biosecurity on their farms to expert veterinary care of flocks and herds, maintaining the highest standards for food safety is synonymous with the high-quality meat, grains, vegetables, and fruits that they produce.

Farmers follow industry-specific quality assurance programs and other voluntary initiatives to enhance food safety measures. They also work to continuously raise the standards for how food is produced, processed and transported.

Food Abundance
Some experts in the 1930s predicted that growing needs for land use and increased uses of modern genetics would mean by 2000, we’d only have apples and oranges to choose from. Instead, walking through a grocery store, you’ll find fruits you’ve never even heard of!