Food News: Prepare for higher prices
Written by Kate Petersen on June 18, 2008 – 6:49 am -Floods seen adding to already high food prices
CHICAGO (Reuters) - The cost of everything from corn chips to beef steaks was going higher even before the disastrous floods hit millions of corn and soybean acres in the U.S. Midwest, and now food price increases may be even greater, industry sources said on Tuesday.
Torrential rains over the past week and the worst floods in 15 years have badly hit the U.S. Midwest, which directly or indirectly produces much of the nation’s food.
Food prices to soar on back of devastating US floods
Most of Iowa, in the US ‘corn belt’, has been declared a disaster zone. At least three people have died and tens of thousands have been forced to leave their homes.
[snip]
“One thing that we haven’t talked about, which I’m very concerned about and is critically important, is the damage that has been done to our agricultural sector,” [Iowa’s Governor Chet Culver] said.
“It is possible you’re talking about $US1 billion ($AU1.06 billion) to just our agricultural sector, in terms of loss.”
Nothing but cheerful food news this morning!
From a personal and selfish standpoint, I’ve been paying fairly close attention to both stories — bad weather and rising food prices — for some time, in order to try to stay a little ahead of the price increases. Here’s what I’ve learned.
Pay attention to what you are buying now. If it has corn syrup in it or if it’s animal-derived, it’s going to be much more expensive before the end of the year, despite the government’s soothing reassurances.
Start now to change what you eat, a little at a time. Less meat and animal products (including — ouch — milk, butter, eggs, and cheese), fewer (preferably no) processed foods, more whole grains and beans and fresh vegetables.
Buy local and in-season whenever possible. Plant a garden! Compost anything compostable. Bake your own bread. Share with your neighbors and community.
And tell us all what you are doing.
Posted in Economy, Environment, Frugality, The Politics of Food |
4 Comments
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We all need to do our part in keeping healthy and encouraging our farmers and our food manufacturers to use less corn and the bad ‘high fructose corn syrup’ in everything at the grocery.
We buy at the farmer’s market, Asian deli and the local co-op. Fruits, veggies, lots of green leafy veggies, whole grains, Asian foods, fish, occasional free range beef, pork, chicken. I can’t give up fresh butter and fresh eggs. I don’t use alot, but I do use it. The thing I use mostly for sautéing and stir-fry is olive oil, occasional canola or peanut oil. I make 80% of the food we eat from scratch. I enjoy doing it and my sweetie makes the other 20%. He does breakfast on the weekends, lovely sauteed oysters and great gumbo, Texas red chili and sometimes dinner.
Guess what I’m going on about is use the best products you possibly can, think about what you are putting in your mouth, get exercise every day and have enough sleep to be relaxed (get more than you think you need). Oh, and stop and smell the roses!
I got the results of my annual physical and some other tests back today. I do not have breast cancer! Yeah! It may be an infection, but it’s not cancer (my mother had breast cancer when she was in her 30’s). We have to watch the spot, but much has resolved itself over the past month. My cholesterol is a little high - 235 BUT it’s my HDL that’s high -98! The NP kept saying, ‘I’ve never seen anyone’s good HDL that high’. Then she quizzed me on what I ate. (I’m taking her one of my bread recipes next time I’m there!
Good on you! Not only for how you eat, but your absolutely wonderfully high HDL value! Goes to show you that some butter and eggs are good and good for you..
The exercise and the green leafies are definitely part of the recipe for good health, not to mention plenty of rest and an outstanding, good cookin’ sweetie.
Hooray for no cancer!!!!
Well… two out of four. Could be worse.
Happy Happy Joy Joy!!!
Thanks you guys!!
Kate, gotta get you the other two!