Fresh Produce Discussion Blog

Created by The Packer's National Editor Tom Karst

Monday, May 6, 2013

Mother's Day facts: Census Bureau


            Mother’s Day: May 12, 2013
The driving force behind Mother’s Day was Anna Jarvis, who organized observances in Grafton, W.Va., and Philadelphia on May 10, 1908. As the annual celebration became popular around the country, Jarvis asked members of Congress to set aside a day to honor mothers. She succeeded in 1914, when Congress designated the second Sunday in May as Mother’s Day.
How Many Mothers
4.1 million
Number of women between the ages of 15 and 50 who gave birth in the past 12 months. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2011 American Community Survey, Table B1302 <http://factfinder2.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=ACS_11_1YR_B13002&prodType=table>
53%
Percentage of 15- to 44-year-old women who were mothers in 2010.
Source: Fertility of American Women: 2010
<http://www.census.gov/hhes/fertility/data/cps/2010.html> Table 1 
81%
Percentage of women who had become mothers by age 40 to 44 as of 2010. In 1976, 90 percent of women in that age group had given birth. Source: Fertility of American Women: 2010 <http://www.census.gov/hhes/fertility/data/cps/2010.html> Table 1
2,449
The total fertility rate or estimated number of total births per 1,000 women in Utah in 2010 (based on current birth rates by age), which led the nation. At the other end of the spectrum is Rhode Island, with a total fertility rate of 1,630.5 births per 1,000 women. Source: National Center for Health Statistics, Table 12, page 42 <http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nvsr/nvsr61/nvsr61_01.pdf>
 20%
Percentage of all women age 15 to 44 who have had two children. About 47 percent had no children, 17 percent had one, 10 percent had three and about 5 percent had four or more. Source: Fertility of American Women: 2010, Detailed Tables, Table 1 <http://www.census.gov/hhes/fertility/data/cps/2010.html> 
89.7%
Percentage of all children who lived with their biological mothers in 2012. About 1.2 percent of all children lived with a stepmother. Source: America’s Families and Living Arrangements, 2012 CPS, Table C9 <http://www.census.gov/hhes/families/data/cps2012.html>
Recent Births
3.954 million
Number of births registered in the United States in 2011. Of this number, 329,797 were to teens 15 to 19 and 7,651 to women age 45 to 49.
Source: National Center for Health Statistics <http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nvsr/nvsr61/nvsr61_05.pdf>
25.4
Average age of women in 2010 when they gave birth for the first time, up from 25.2 years in 2009. The increase in the mean age from 2009 to 2010 reflects, in part, the relatively large decline in births to women under age 25.
Source: National Center for Health Statistics, Page 6 <http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nvsr/nvsr61/nvsr61_01.pdf> and <http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nvsr/nvsr61/nvsr61_01_tables.pdf>
           
29.2%
The percentage of mothers who had given birth in the past 12 months who had a bachelor’s degree or higher and 84 percent of mothers have at least a high school diploma. Source: 2011 American Community Survey, American FactFinder, Table S1301 
Jacob and Sophia
The most popular baby names for boys and girls, respectively, in 2011. Source: Social Security Administration <http://www.ssa.gov/OACT/babynames/>
 68
Number of births in the past year per 1,000 women age 15 to 50 with a graduate or professional degree. The number was 57 per 1,000 for women whose highest level of education was a bachelor’s degree.
Source: 2011 American Community Survey, American FactFinder, Table S1301
Stay-at-Home Moms
5 million
Number of stay-at-home moms in 2012 — statistically unchanged from 2009, 2010 and 2011— down from 5.3 million in 2008. In 2012, 24 percent of married-couple family groups with children under 15 had a stay-at-home mother, up from 21 percent in 2000. In 2007, before the recession, stay-at-home mothers were found in 24 percent of married-couple family groups with children under 15, not statistically different from the percentage in 2012.
Source: America's Families and Living Arrangements Table SHP-1 <http://www.census.gov/hhes/families/data/families.html> 
Compared with other moms, stay-at-home moms in 2007 were more likely:
  •         Younger (44 percent were under age 35, compared with 38 percent of mothers in the labor force).
  •          Hispanic (27 percent, compared with 16 percent of mothers in the labor force).
  •          Foreign-born (34 percent, compared with 19 percent of mothers in the labor force).
  •          Living with a child under age 5 (57 percent, compared with 43 percent of mothers in
   the labor force).
  •          Without a high school diploma (19 percent versus 8 percent of mothers in the labor force).
Source: America’s Families and Living Arrangements: 2007 <http://www.census.gov/population/www/socdemo/hh-fam/p20-561.pdf>  
Employed Moms  
827,907
Number of child care centers across the country in 2010. These included 75,695 child day care services employing 859,416 workers and another 752,212 self-employed people or other businesses without paid employees. Many mothers turn to these centers to help juggle motherhood and careers.
Source: County Business Patterns: 2010 <http://www.census.gov/econ/cbp/> and
Nonemployer Statistics: 2010 <http://www.census.gov/econ/nonemployer/>
62.1%
Percentage of women age 16 to 50 who had a birth in the past 12 months who were in the labor force. Source: 2011 American Community Survey, American FactFinder, Table S1301 
Single Moms 
10.3 million
The number of single mothers living with children younger than 18 in 2012, up from 3.4 million in 1970. Source: America’s Families and Living Arrangements <http://www.census.gov/hhes/families/data/families.html> Table FM-2
5.9 million
Number of custodial mothers who were owed child support in 2009.
Source: Custodial Mothers and Fathers and Their Child Support: 2009, Table 1
36%
Percentage of births in the past 12 months that were to women age 15 to 50 who were unmarried (including divorced, widowed and never married women). Source: 2011 American Community Survey, American Fact Finder, Table B1302 
In 2011, 407,873 mothers who had a birth in the past 12 months were living with a cohabiting partner. Source: 2011 American Community Survey, American Fact Finder, Table B1304
 Mothers Remembered
16,182
Number of florist establishments nationwide in 2010. The 70,575 employees in floral shops across our nation will be especially busy preparing, selling and delivering floral arrangements for Mother’s Day.
Source: County Business Patterns: 2010 <http://www.census.gov/econ/cbp/> 
10,258
Number of employees of the 103 greeting-card publishing establishments in 2010.
Source: County Business Patterns: 2010 <http://www.census.gov/econ/cbp/>
14,654
The number of cosmetics, beauty supplies and perfume stores nationwide in 2010. Perfume is a popular gift given on Mother’s Day.
Source: County Business Patterns: 2010 <http://www.census.gov/econ/cbp/>
23,739
Number of jewelry stores in the United States in 2010 — the place to purchase necklaces, earrings and other timeless pieces for mom.
Source: County Business Patterns: 2010 <http://www.census.gov/econ/cbp/>

posted by Tom Karst @ 4:11 PM 0 Comments

Farmers Shoulder Nearly $17 Billion in Losses in 2012




(OVERLAND PARK, Kan.) — Before farmers received a single dime in crop insurance indemnity payments, they shouldered $12.7 billion in losses as part of their deductibles to crop insurance policies, according to a guest editorial published today by Tom Zacharias, president of National Crop Insurance Services (NCIS).

“When combined with the $4.1 billion farmers paid out of their own pockets to purchase crop insurance last year, total farmer investment neared $17 billion,” explains Zacharias in today’s edition of Roll Call/CQ.

Zacharias noted that it was important to get those numbers out because of the ongoing assault on the “the men and women who put food on our tables and clothes on our backs” over their purchasing of crop insurance.   “Critics called crop insurance a farmer bailout and said things like farmers were ‘laughing all the way to the bank’ and were ‘praying for drought, not praying for rain,’” the article notes.   “Farmers even have been compared to cheap drunks at an open bar and told to pay their fair share.”

The article points out that when assessing the value of crop insurance, there are undisputed facts of what transpired after the worst drought our country has seen in decades:

v  Indemnities to farmers cost about $17 billion, but “thanks to crop insurance’s design, these indemnities were not completely borne by taxpayers because farmers and insurers picked up a major portion of the costs and sustained significant economic losses.”

v  “This was the sixth time since 1983 that crop insurers lost money.  Compare that to the property and casualty insurance industry, which has lost money only once as far back as data is available.”

v  “It is also important to note that when crop insurance premiums exceed losses, the government sees underwriting gains that help offset payments in bad years.  In fact, the government experienced nearly $4 billion in gains from 2001-2010.” And just as importantly, “Congress was not asked to fund an ad hoc disaster bill despite the historic devastation endured by our agricultural producers.”

Zacharias welcomed reasoned debate on farm policies, but added that “lawmakers and the American public deserve an intelligent conversation about the future of agriculture that is kept to just the facts.”

To see the guest opinion in its entirety, click here.

posted by Tom Karst @ 4:07 PM 0 Comments

80 Million Americans to Have Restaurant Meals This Mother’s Day, According to the National Restaurant Association

(Washington, D.C.) New research from the National Restaurant Association (NRA) shows that more than one-quarter of American adults will celebrate Mother’s Day by dining out, and nearly one in 10 will rely on restaurant takeout or delivery for their special Mother’s Day meal. Overall, the NRA projects that 80 million American adults will enjoy restaurant meals on May 12, 2013. “Restaurants continue to play an important role in holiday celebrations, and Mother’s Day remains the most popular holiday on which to dine out,” said Hudson Riehle, senior vice president of the Research and Knowledge Group for the National Restaurant Association. “Restaurant takeout and delivery is also becoming an increasingly popular option for holiday meals, as it also is for many Americans’ every-day meal choices. Eight in 10 consumers say going to restaurants is a better use of leisure time than cooking and cleaning up, and that is especially true on special occasions. ” The NRA’s new research shows that 7 percent of adults plan to order restaurant takeout or delivery for their special Mother’s Day meal this year, with younger consumers and consumers with young children in their household are the most likely to do so. Ten percent of 18-34-year olds and 14 percent of 35-44-year-olds say they will order takeout or delivery on May 12, and so do 11 percent of households with children under 13. Dinner remains the most popular meal for which to dine out on Mother’s Day, with 55 percent of those who plan to dine out on Mother’s Day selecting the evening meal period. Thirty-four percent celebrate mom at lunch, 30 percent at brunch and 12 percent at breakfast. 23 percent plan to have more than one restaurant meal on May 12. The NRA also surveyed moms about which type of restaurant they would most like to visit for their special Mother’s Day meal. Steak, seafood or barbeque was the most popular category at about one-third (34 percent), followed by American cuisine at about one-quarter (24 percent), ethnic cuisine and buffets, both at about one in five (21 and 19 percent, respectively). Among ethnic cuisines, Italian was the most preferred, followed by Mexican and Asian. The National Restaurant Association surveyed 1,000 American adults April 25-28 about their plans for Mother’s Day 2013. The estimate of 80 million Americans dining out or ordering restaurant takeout or delivery this Mother’s Day is based on economic analysis and projections, as well as research conducted by the NRA over the last two decades.

posted by Tom Karst @ 4:03 PM 0 Comments

USDA Announces Final Call for 2012 Census of Agriculture

Don't Miss Your Chance to Provide the Facts Straight from the Farm WASHINGTON, May 6, 2013 – With the window to respond to the 2012 Census of Agriculture officially closing on May 31, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is urging farmers and ranchers not to miss this opportunity to be counted and help determine the future of farming in America. USDA has already received more than 2 million completed Census forms. "Our nation needs your help to ensure that decisions about U.S. agriculture accurately represent you, your communities, and your industry," said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. "For every 158 people in America there is one farm. I urge you to take action today and respond to the Census – your country is counting on the information to help ensure a continued supply of food, fiber and fuel for generations to come." The Census of Agriculture, conducted only once every five years, is the only source of consistent and comprehensive agricultural data for every state and county in the nation. It looks at farms, value of land, market value of agricultural production, farm practices, expenditures, and other factors that affect the way farmers and ranchers do business. The information is used by agribusinesses, town planners, local governments, and policy makers, as well as farmers, ranchers, growers and others to shape farm programs, boost rural services and grow the future of farming. "Agriculture in America is an industry built on tradition, honor and pride," said Vilsack. "We have heard this from the farmers and ranchers who completed their Census of Agriculture form. It's not too late for those who have not yet responded to join the generations of producers who participated in the Agriculture Census since it was first conducted in 1840. Only you can continue to provide the facts straight from the farm." The 2012 Census will provide a complete picture of agriculture that will be used to shape the future of agriculture, rural America, and the lives of those USDA serves for years to come. The deadline to respond to the Census of Agriculture is only a few weeks away on May 31. USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) may contact producers by phone or in person to collect Census information since time is running out. Farmers and ranchers can also return their forms by mail or online by visiting a secure website, www.agcensus.usda.gov. Federal law requires a response from everyone who receives the Census form and requires NASS to keep all individual information confidential. For more information about the Census, including helpful tips on completing your Census form, visit www.agcensus.usda.gov or call 1-888-4AG-STAT (1-888-424-7828). The Census of Agriculture is your voice, your future, your responsibility.

posted by Tom Karst @ 3:42 PM 0 Comments