http://ozarkspub.vo.llnwd.net/o37/KSMU/audio/mp3/missourifo_1661.mp3
Missouri's food prices have lowered from the previous year and rank lower than the national average. KSMU's Christy Hendricks reports.
According to a survey by the American Farm Bureau, grocery shoppers in Missouri pay less than the national average for food.
Diane Olson is the Director of Promotion and Education Programs for the Missouri Farm Bureau Federation.
She says Missouri conducts quarterly surveys that look at 16 specific items in stores across the state.
Olson says food prices in the last quarter of 2004 were lower than the same period in 2003.
Diane Olson says there are several reasons why Missouri's food prices are lower than the national average.
Olson says it is important to remember the agricultural producers in Missouri.
She says farmers normally get about 19-cents for every dollar consumers spend for food.
For more information about the Missouri Farm Bureau Federation go to www.mofb.org.