Soaring Food Prices?

[Dan.Linehan]

The BBC reported yesterday that food prices have soared up 40% in the last year alone. Ouch!

Might be time to start a veggie garden..

[Dharma]

Is some of that from the cost to transport it - high diesel fuel prices?

/reads article

The increases are partly due to droughts and floods linked to climate change, as well as rising oil prices boosting demand for bio-fuels, the FAO said.

[positivityhub]

High oil prices are a big reason. Other reasons are climate change and increased meat eating in developing countries by the new middle class. It takes much more grain as fodder to produce meat and the very poor don't even get grain. Also some arable land is being used for biofuels / ethanol production rather than for foodgrains.

[beautyscientist]

This is going to be this century's big problem. What can we do to help?

[NotesMaeve]

Maybe I just eat weird stuff. I've been spending a lot less on my own food bill.

[WanderingOak]

Originally Posted by beautyscientist

This is going to be this century's big problem. What can we do to help?

You can start by eating locally whenever possible. Of course this also involves eating in season, which can be hard for some people who might be used to fresh strawberries in the dead of winter. One thing I have been thinking about is a network of local co-ops for farmers and truck gardeners that market their produce to the local community.

[Mayo]

I have a feeling that we will have global Japanese problem where everything will be expensive. The biggest problem is that we are at transition state from oil to regenerative energy sources (biomass, geothermal, solar, ...)
For now all i can see is for city dwellers to do one thing, and that is: earn more money (the problem is up to you to see how to earn more).

[Amadeus]

As far as the US, the devaluating dollar is a big reason food prices and everything else is going up.

[Honeywith4bees]

What my experience is, is that the better I try to feed my family, the more it costs. For example, apples cost WAY more than Little Debbie Snack Cakes.
So even when I buy grains from our local co-op, that we buy in bulk, it's still more costly than if I just gave up and bought all junk food.

[WanderingOak]

Originally Posted by Honeywith4bees

What my experience is, is that the better I try to feed my family, the more it costs. For example, apples cost WAY more than Little Debbie Snack Cakes.
So even when I buy grains from our local co-op, that we buy in bulk, it's still more costly than if I just gave up and bought all junk food.

I've noticed that myself. I tend to preffer quality over quantity, and I have found that quality goods are expensive. I'm thinking that the American economy has been in a slump for the past few years, but cheap fuel and Chinese imports have kept prices relatively low. Now that fuel prices are on the rise, and imports from China are suspect, the sorry shape of the economy is just starting to become apparent.

[Dan.Linehan]

I bought organic Fiji apples from Whole Foods last night --> $2.99 / lb.

$8.38 for four apples!

[Mayo]

Is each apple weighting 1 pound??

Originally Posted by Dan.Linehan

I bought organic Fiji apples from Whole Foods last night --> $2.99 / lb.

$8.38 for four apples!

[Dan.Linehan]

0.7 lb / apple, apparently.

[Love]

Originally Posted by WanderingOak

One thing I have been thinking about is a network of local co-ops for farmers and truck gardeners that market their produce to the local community.

Have you ever thought about joining a CSA? I can't remember what the initials stand for, but its when a group of community members get together to buy locally grown foods that get delieverd to the different community members. There may already be one in your area.

Regarding high prices:
I think local and organic growers produce less than what they're actually capable of selling. Then their products are marketed as luxury products. And as terms like "organic" and "free-range" etc. become more appreciated in society, I feel that they will be used to draw people in much the same way luxury companies draw their folks in, which would result in higher prices.
I don't actually know any of this for sure, but that's my guess.

[Honeywith4bees]

Originally Posted by Love

Have you ever thought about joining a CSA? I can't remember what the initials stand for,

Community Supported Agriculture

[Dan.Linehan]

Here's another article about it.

Led by milk, food prices keep climbing, climbing, climbing - Dec. 20, 2007

"That's the reason I cut down on milk consumption - so I can drive my car," said Norris. --> Doh..!!

Is a farmers market considered a CSA? Or is it only a CSA specifically when the food is delivered?

[Honeywith4bees]

Originally Posted by Dan.Linehan

Is a farmers market considered a CSA? Or is it only a CSA specifically when the food is delivered?

With a CSA, you purchase a "share" from a Farmer in the beginning of their season. They usually want the money up front, before the season starts. Then you get a weekly "share" of whatever food the Farmer manages to grow for the season. They can tell you, historically, what you can expect to get, however, the cycles of nature are unpredictable as far as drought and insects go. Some people can trade work for all or part of their share price. It's a great method of insuring that the Farmer has money upfront, to pay for the expenses they will incur during their growing season as well as providing the consumer with fresh, local, usually organic produce all season. The consumer gets exposed to different produce than what they may buy on their own and it's also a wonderful community building event. Most of the CSA Farmers in my area have potlucks, recipe sharing, volunteer work days etc. The downfall is that you may find that you just can't stand another serving of Swiss Chard!