Public Radio: Does the World Face Another Food Crisis?
Fifty-seven-million Americans don’t get enough to eat, and massive amounts of food go to waste. At the same time much of the world depends on American agri-business. Is going local a better way?
Two years ago, a combination of natural events and economic conditions drove food prices so high that food riots erupted in many parts of the world. While the ravages of 2008 aren’t yet over, this year, there’s concern that the same thing may be happening again.
The UN says: Be Prepared.
Drought has led Russia to ban wheat exports; America’s corn harvest is down and climate change is helping to drive world prices higher. Meantime, farmers make more by using their land for sugar, cotton, soya and bio-fuels.
Is industrialized agriculture at fault? What are the prospects of another global food crisis, and what are the chances of heading it off?
Guests on this show:
- Raj Patel: former Fellow; Institute for Food and Development Policy
- Nancy Roman: Director of Public Policy, United Nations World Food Program
- Jonathan Bloom: Freelance journalist and food waste expert
- Mark Winne: former Executive Director, Hartford Food System
Listen to the discussion here.
Produced by KCRW, distributed by PRI.