Food Shortages

I heard on the news last night that it is just media hype. ... they are having shortages due to people buying it up in bulk and hoarding, but mostly in other countries.

 I wouldn't stress. It's like the TP shortage! lol 

It's not just rice and it's not just the US. I believe we are facing a global food and economic crisis. I spent $367 at the store the other day. I bought a few extras, but not enough to account for this. Do you notice your grocery bill taking a noticeable hike in the past 6 months?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7352038.stm

http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2008/sgsm11511.doc.htm 

Center for Global Development

Food Rationing Hits US Stores 

Jump in Rice Price 

As financial markets have tumbled, food prices have soared.   Since 2005, the prices of staples have jumped 80 percent.  Last month, the real price of rice hit a 19-year high; the real price of wheat rose to a 28-year high and almost twice the average price of the last 25 years.
...
The World Bank Group estimates that 33 countries around the world face potential social unrest because of the acute hike in food and energy prices.  For these countries, where food comprises from half to three quarters of consumption, there is no margin for survival.
...
high -- and volatile -- food prices will be with us for years to come.

Sera_J

I heard on the news last night that it is just media hype

Sera, may I ask what channel's news you heard this on? 

I'm kind of on the fence with this one and a few other things as well. I run the whole gamut of " gas is high because people are all in a panic and they are taking advantage of us" to "it was going to happen sooner or later".

I cringe going to the market and gas station, it is pretty bad when a gallon of gas is almost the same price as a 6 pack of cheap beer. And you can get a golden arches value meal, complete with fat, sugar, grease and starch cheaper than a bag of fresh healthy oranges.

I grow veggies because I love to garden, this summer and fall I will be growing to have fresh stuff on my table without having to sell the family silver to get it.

FourIsCompany

Do you notice your grocery bill taking a noticeable hike in the past 6 months?

I've definitely noticed it too. We buy milk and eggs regularly and it's been scary to see the prices jump on just those 2 items, let alone all the other stuff. I truly feel for a large family when it comes time to buy groceries (or fill up the gas tank). 

DH wanted to buy the big bag of rice at Costco not long ago and I told him the last bag lasted for a few years, so let's go with a small bag. Now he thinks we blew it but geesh, we only cook rice a few times a year so I think we'll survive the shortage

FourIsCompany

Do you notice your grocery bill taking a noticeable hike in the past 6 months?

Yes big time. I am spending more and getting less.

I'm trying to find it for you. I can't remember cause I saw it in passing and it caught my attention for a second.

Of course food prices are going up, fuel prices are going up there is going to be a direct correlation.  As a suggestion buying at farmers markets and locally would really make an impact in a number of ways.  I do whenever possible.

Sera_J

As a suggestion buying at farmers markets and locally would really make an impact in a number of ways.  I do whenever possible.

Is milk a locally available thing? Hm.

The reason the cost of food is going up is two-fold. The cost of gas to transport the goods to market.

And ethanol. Ethanol is a poor substitute for gas. It burns at a higher temperature which means cars will have to run hotter. Which means cars can't use the standard gaskets and seal, as they get eaten up by the alcohol. And ethanol is still a carbon-based fuel. We will still release co2 into the air. The good news, if you care to listen to scientists instead of Al Gore is that co2 is not a greenhouse gas. Water vapor is. Anyway, with more and more of the corn production going towards fuel use, it has raised the price of corn. Supply and demand and free market. This also raises the price of foods, especially prepared foods because nearly every prepared food uses corn syrup as a sweetener, binding agent, or preservative. As a fuel, it is more costly to produce than regular gas and you still have to drive a diesel truck to deliver it. The sheer amount of poundage required to produce one gallon is going to make it expensive. About as much as one might pay for a gallon of moonshine, which is what it is. And the government is subsidizing farmers. And the $ .51 excise tax recently levied on our gasoline is to pay for ethanol subsidies.

I have a solution but it is politically incorrect and will hurt feelings.

Treat people that won't let us drill and process our own fuel as traitors. Quit buying from OPEC. Everytime we by from them, we are supporting terrorism. What, you say? Osama bin Laden is from Saudia Arabia, the anchor country of OPEC. Leave corn as a food item. What about global warming? Well, it's not happening the way it is predicted by politicians and others who don't actually study climatology and the various factors in the Earth's environment. And here's a news flash, any fuel you burn creates heat and co2. Your own body does that. We can still develop alternate fuels, better batteries for electric cars, etc. But let's be energy independent and put our economy back on the upswing.

I told you it was politically incorrect.

I heard most recently that the high prices were do largely to the weak dollar. The cost of fuel and transportation also has to be a huge factor though.

Politically incorrect or not Ron, I think you have a good point as far as fuel is concerned.  The only way we're ever going to get out from under dependence on Middle Eastern oil is to drill and use our own ... and it's there for the drilling.  I read an article in our local paper that said  the corn that's being used for ethanol isn't the corn we eat - it's more in line with the corn grown for animal feed. Big warehouse stores (Costco and Sams Club) have put a limit on the number of bags of rice you can buy, but you can't buy a 5 lb. bag of rice there either.  I think you have to buy it in 15 or 20 lb. bags. A lot of people who own restaurants probably buy huge bags at warehouses but I can't imagine lugging home 60 lbs. of rice.  It would last for two or three more generations. I now do the bulk of my grocery shopping at the Wal-Mart superstore in West Sacramento where the prices are  more in line with what they were at the Travis AFB commissary, which at 45 miles away is too dang far to drive to grocery shop.

Joyce

ron2

Treat people that won't let us drill and process our own fuel as traitors. Quit buying from OPEC. Everytime we by from them, we are supporting terrorism. What, you say? Osama bin Laden is from Saudia Arabia, the anchor country of OPEC. Leave corn as a food item. What about global warming? Well, it's not happening the way it is predicted by politicians and others who don't actually study climatology and the various factors in the Earth's environment. And here's a news flash, any fuel you burn creates heat and co2. Your own body does that. We can still develop alternate fuels, better batteries for electric cars, etc. But let's be energy independent and put our economy back on the upswing.

I told you it was politically incorrect.

 Three Cheers for Ron!!!!!

 Ron for president!!!

 agree

FourIsCompany

It's not just rice and it's not just the US. I believe we are facing a global food and economic crisis.

I'm hoping it's just media hype, but in truth I fear that you're right.

I'm not hoarding food, but I am picking up just a little something extra each time I go to the store.  A jar of peanut butter, a box of pasta, a bag of dried beans, a couple cans of soup.  Just a little something extra to make sure the pantry stays well stocked.

Sera_J

I'm trying to find it for you.

Never mind, Sera. I had the TV on last night and heard this, too. To tell you the truth, I don't trust anything the network news says. They're making fun of Sam's Club rationing rice to 80 lbs per visit, which is really pretty funny. And that's just the first indicator (along with the rising prices). I feel so bad for people who can't afford food... And that's happening, too. But it's not so prevalent on the news