To the Point
Rising Food Prices: Has Ethanol Backfired?
For 30 years, food prices have been declining worldwide, so much that, in western countries, obesity has become a major problem. But it appears that the era of cheap food has come to an end. As prices are rising all over the world, many Americans don’t have enough to eat.
By Warren Olney • • 1 min readFor 30 years, food prices have been declining worldwide, so much that, in western countries, obesity has become a major problem. But it appears that the era of cheap food has come to an end. As prices are rising all over the world, many Americans don’t have enough to eat. The latest report from the Department of Agriculture finds that almost 11% of American households experience "food insecurity" for part of the year. Thirteen million families don't have enough to eat. Food banks that serve hungry people are not getting the donations they need to do their job. The Farm Bill increases money for food stamps and other programs. Will that make up the difference? Will massive support for corn-based ethanol make things better or worse?
Warren Olney
former KCRW broadcaster
Carina Miller
Assistant Producer, To the Point
Karen Radziner
Managing Producer, To the Point & Which Way LA?
Katie Cooper
Producer, 'One year Later'
Mark Nord
Sociologist, US Department of Agriculture's Food Assistance Branch
Maura Daly
Vice President of Government Relations, Second Harvest
Joe Victor
Vice President for Marketing, Allendale