America might be embroiled in an economic recession right now, but there are just some things not worth skimping on—like good, homegrown food.

Ninety-five percent of Americans said it was important for the United States to produce its own food instead of depending on imports, according to a new survey by Harris Interactive.

And when it comes to sugar, nearly seven in 10 survey respondents said they'd rather buy U.S. sugar even if imports were cheaper.

The results shouldn't come as a huge shock to anyone.

The Secretary of Agriculture recently said of America's need to maintain food security, "If you have a problem with Hugo Chavez providing your oil, how do you feel about him providing your food?"

Some might not think something as sweet as sugar, which is usually associated with candy and cake, would matter to the country's food security. But nothing could be further from the truth.

Sugar is an ingredient found in about 70 percent of food, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Known for its bulking and preservative qualities, sugar is a must in baking. And adding a little sweetness to the food supply actually improves the consumption of foods packed with nutrients and vitamins that might otherwise taste bland.

"All in all, America has a lot to be proud of, and its food supply is truly the envy of the world," explained Larry Combest, the former Chairman of both the House Agriculture Committee and the Select Committee on Intelligence. "Now all we have to do is to keep doing what we're doing by safely producing a wide variety of products from coast to coast."

But that could be easier said than done as a handful of vocal agriculture opponents attempt to weaken the farm safety net and make the country more dependent on imports.

"Luckily, Congress is smarter than that," Combest concluded. "It has been a good steward of a farming system that produces the safest, most affordable, most abundant food supply in the world, and I expect it will keep the farm safety net strong in the upcoming farm bill."